Aerospace composite manufacturers and metal suppliers render a wide variety of products from satellites to launch vehicles to light planes. Anything that moves through the Earth's atmosphere or the space beyond is lumped into the broad category of "aerospace."

Providers of aerospace materials do have one thing in common across the board—a need for exacting standards and technical precision. Their quality control is either the barrier between life and death or the safeguard for investments that run in the millions if not billions of dollars. If you're looking to get involved in the aerospace industry, there are three main sectors to consider:

1. Composite materials for aerospace applications

2. Metal components for aerospace technology

3. Non-structural aerospace supplies and accessories

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find an aerospace composite manufacturer to suit your plans

Aerospace composite companies produce lightweight body panels and shielding as well as flexible and rigid applications like interior ducting, mirrors and accessories.

I recommend: Aerospace Composite Products offers composite materials such as fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon specifically intended for lightweight applications. They also offer laminating, finishing and tooling systems to help you complete your projects. Nor-Ral Plastics offers custom composite tooling from your designs to meet contract specifications and standards.

Remember, metal is still one of the best aerospace materials

Most aerospace applications have extensive metal components, so don't throw away the business card for your metal supplier yet. Many composite companies offer some limited tooling and machining in aluminum and other metals, but you'll want a specialist to make sure you're getting the highest quality metal alloys.

I recommend: Strategic Aerospace Materials offers a variety of metals in all grades and many forms, including aircraft alloy steel in wire, bars, sheets, forgings, plate, tube and pipe. Factory Steel and Metal Supply is a full-service warehouse with aircraft grade steel in sheets, plates, tubing and bars.

Fill your craft with the right aerospace supplies

Any aerospace material suppliers or designers will tell you that there's more to a plane or a spacecraft than its skin. Many aerospace technology companies focus primarily or exclusively on lubricants, sealers, interior details and other accessories. It's usually the fine details that will make or break your main structural components and design.

I recommend: ACI Lubes packages and distributes lubricants, cleaners, sealers, greases, corrosion prevention and other consumable materials used in the aviation industry. Royal Plastic Mfg designs and custom produces high performance composite applications for both the aviation and space industries, including ducting and tubing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Specialty woven fabrics are another vital aerospace component that your providers of aerospace materials should be able to supply. Don't forget to consider these light, flexible, durable materials are potential building supplies throughout the design process. Product specifications will be available directly from suppliers.