Abstract
Aluminium alloys are a key series of metallic materials used in aerospace engineering. Life cycle of aluminium consists of a series of independent product processes including, for example, bauxite mining, bauxite refining, smelting, casting, forming, performing, and disposal. In order to understand the life cycle cost of aluminium, an in-house module for costing of life cycle in material processes has been developed. The object oriented costing approach is suggested and adopted. Based on survey data and engineering analysis of the processing, cost estimating relationships are established. Through the module, costs for various processes of aluminium production can be estimated. Example results show that the module could be a useful tool for costing life cycle of aluminium, or for estimating costs for an aluminium component with an individual process. Copyright © 2008 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.