Тhe article is devoted to various aspects of the application of rare metals and rare-earth elements (REE) in the development of new aviation materials. The results of studies on the impact of the structural properties of various classes of aviation materials: aluminum alloys, casting and wrought superalloys, heat-resistant and heat-protective coatings, magnetically hard materials, high-strength structural steels. The conclusion is made about the need to restore and advanced development of rare-earth industry of Russia and formulated the basic elements of the state support of this task.

The actual values of mechanical properties of sheets with the thickness of 2‒3 mm at the temperature 20, 100‒350°C (static tension) are given for basic commercial wrought structural alloys of Al‒Cu‒Mg and Al‒Cu (1151, Д19, Д16, АК4-1, Д21 and 1201 alloys). The scatter in the heat resistance values of alloys at 100‒350°C is explained on the base of the analysis of their alloying, phase compositions and diffusion process specificity. The weakening rate on heating, as the universal criterion is proposed for the comparison evolution of alloy heat resistance. Besides it, the calculation method of the weakening rate values (integrated and differential ones) are also presented. The comparison of alloy weakening rates will allow to choose a material on the well-founded base in case of new types of structures susceptible to heating. As compared to existing structural Al-base alloys, the 1151 alloy actually possesses the advantageous heat resistance.

The results of studying the effect of Cu and Mg equiatomic content on the diffusion character of atoms in the crystal lattice of a-solid solution at 20°C and the ageing processes of Al−Cu−Mg high-temperature weldable structural alloy are given in the paper. The positive effect of 1151 alloy modification specificity and diffusion processes on the technological efficiency of the structure production processes and the product reliability improvement is also marked. The group of new types of alloys, in particular, Al−Cu−Mg system is proposed to designate as «alloys of equiatomic type» (AET).

A complex of fundamental and applied research projects aimed at titanium alloys development as well as their process engineering and technologies of aviation, rocket and space parts production have been carried out. There were designed theories of complex alloying, microalloying, thermal and thermomechanical treatments, textural strengthening, composite materials with outer and inside reinforcement by high-strength fibers, multilayered and plated composite materials.

Current state of production and prospect of application reinforcing fibers for metal and ceramic composite materials (CM) are considered. Properties of various matrix composites and fibers for each type of CM are described. Fields of application of ceramic and metal composites are given.

Composition variation of thermo protective and oxidation protective coatings for SiC-based composite materials is considered. Compositions and properties of 2-, 3-layer and multilayer coatings data are presented. Mechanism of protective acting of some compositions is presented. New compositions of protective coatings perspective of application for exploitation temperature increasing of SiC-based composition materials are presented.