Join us on..
- 27 – 29 October 2026
- Huntington Place, Detroit
In aerospace and defence, materials are selected because they determine whether a system can perform safely, reliably and efficiently in environments where failure is not an option. Aircraft, spacecraft, naval platforms, defence vehicles, electronics and unmanned systems may face extreme heat, vibration, corrosion, fuels, hydraulic fluids, electromagnetic interference, dust, pressure changes and long service intervals, often at the same time.
As platforms become lighter, hotter, more electrified and more sensor-rich, materials must do more than meet a specification. They must support performance, survivability, safety, maintenance reduction and supply-chain resilience. This is why advanced materials have become enabling technologies for the next generation of aerospace and defence systems.
Materials Week USA 2026, taking place from 27–29 October 2026 at Huntington Place, Detroit, brings together Silicone Expo USA, The Magnetics Show USA, The Gasket & Seals Show, Tape & Functional Film Expo, High Performance Alloys Expo and Speciality Polymers World. For engineers, R&D teams, procurement specialists and component manufacturers, the event offers an opportunity to compare material technologies across complete systems rather than isolated components.
High-temperature materials remain critical as propulsion, hypersonics and space systems push into harsher thermal environments. Nickel-based alloys, titanium alloys, superalloys, ceramic matrix composites and emerging high-entropy alloys help components retain strength and stability under intense heat and repeated thermal cycling. Innovations such as NASA’s GRX-810, a 3D-printable alloy designed for extreme temperatures, show how material development is also supporting more complex and efficient manufacturing.
Corrosion resistance is equally important. Aircraft operating near coastlines, naval systems exposed to saltwater and defence equipment used in desert or chemically aggressive environments all face degradation risks. Protective coatings, specialist alloys and surface treatments help extend service life, reduce maintenance and improve operational readiness. Newer approaches, including chromate-free coatings, self-healing systems and high-entropy alloy coatings, reflect the growing need to balance durability with sustainability and compliance.
Seals, gaskets and elastomers also play a vital role because they protect systems that cannot be allowed to fail. In electronics, fuel systems, hydraulics, aircraft doors, hatches, sensors and battery housings, sealing performance affects safety, reliability and service life. As electrification increases, materials such as silicones, thermal interface materials, flame-retardant compounds and specialist gasketing solutions are becoming more important for thermal control, electrical isolation and environmental protection.
Lightweighting remains a major driver. Speciality polymers such as PEEK, PTFE, polyimides and fluoropolymers can replace metals in selected applications while offering chemical resistance, insulation and wear performance. Adhesive films, functional tapes and bonding technologies are also helping manufacturers reduce fasteners, lower part count and create cleaner, lighter structures.
Magnetic materials are becoming more strategic as platforms rely on actuation, power-dense motors, sensors, navigation and communications systems. At the same time, rare earth supply pressures mean availability, traceability and resilience are now part of the materials decision.
Materials Week USA 2026 provides a focused environment for discovering the materials, technologies and supplier expertise shaping mission-critical performance.
