Which of the following aircraft materials is commonly used for structural components due to its light weight and high strength?

The choice of 2024 aluminum alloy as a commonly used material for structural components in aircraft is well-founded due to its unique combination of properties. This aluminum alloy is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, which makes it an ideal choice in aviation where minimizing weight while maximizing strength is crucial for structural integrity and performance.

2024 aluminum alloy is particularly valued in aerospace applications because of its ability to achieve high fatigue resistance, allowing for reliable performance under repeated stress and varying loads, which aircraft experience during operation. Additionally, it provides good machinability and can be readily formed into intricate shapes, making it versatile for various structural components such as fuselage frames, wing structures, and more.

In contrast, while materials like fiberglass, carbon fiber, and plastic composites have their own strengths and specific applications in aerospace, they do not typically match the overall balance of weight, strength, and fatigue performance offered by the 2024 aluminum alloy for primary structural components. Fiberglass and plastic composites are often used in non-structural applications or secondary structures. Carbon fiber, while exceptionally strong and lightweight, is often more expensive and not as commonly used for primary structural components due to considerations of cost and material characteristics specific to certain designs.