# Aerospace and defense metal fabrication: standards and how to choose | Best Fabricators

Source: https://bestfabricators.com/industries/aerospace/

# Aerospace and defense fabrication

Aerospace metal fabrication means tight tolerances, traceable materials, and paperwork that follows every part.

## Materials and processes

Aluminum alloys such as 2024, 6061, and 7075; titanium; nickel alloys such as Inconel; and stainless steels. Thin sections and heat-sensitive alloys favor TIG welding, laser cutting, and controlled forming.

## Standards and certifications to know

- AS9100: the aerospace quality management standard built on ISO 9001.
- Nadcap: industry accreditation for special processes such as welding, heat treating, and nondestructive testing.
- ITAR registration: required with the U.S. State Department for companies that manufacture defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List.

## Questions to ask a shop

- Is the shop AS9100 certified, and which sites are covered by the certificate?
- Which special processes are Nadcap accredited, and which are subcontracted?
- Can it provide material certifications and a first article inspection report?
- If the part is a defense article, is the shop ITAR registered?

## What drives cost

Material cost and certification, inspection time, first article inspection, and low production quantities usually drive price more than shop labor alone.

## Metros with strong local demand

- [Aerospace fabrication in Phoenix, AZ](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/phoenix-az/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Atlanta, GA](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/atlanta-ga/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Baltimore, MD](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/baltimore-md/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Cincinnati, OH](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/cincinnati-oh/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Cleveland, OH](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/cleveland-oh/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Dallas, TX](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/dallas-tx/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Denver, CO](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/denver-co/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Houston, TX](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/houston-tx/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Indianapolis, IN](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/indianapolis-in/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Jacksonville, FL](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/jacksonville-fl/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Los Angeles, CA](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/los-angeles-ca/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Miami, FL](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/miami-fl/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in New Orleans, LA](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/new-orleans-la/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Philadelphia, PA](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/philadelphia-pa/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in San Francisco Bay Area, CA](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/san-francisco-ca/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Seattle, WA](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/seattle-wa/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Tampa, FL](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/tampa-fl/)
- [Aerospace fabrication in Washington, DC](https://bestfabricators.com/metal-fabrication/washington-dc/)

## Questions

### What should I look for in a aerospace fabricator?

Relevant certifications, finished work similar to yours, the right equipment, and clear documentation. Start with: Is the shop AS9100 certified, and which sites are covered by the certificate?

### Where is aerospace fabrication concentrated?

On this site, these metros have strong local demand: Phoenix, AZ, Atlanta, GA, Baltimore, MD, Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Jacksonville, FL, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, New Orleans, LA, Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, Seattle, WA, Tampa, FL, Washington, DC.

Related: [Fabrication certifications explained](https://bestfabricators.com/guides/certifications/) · [Fabrication processes](https://bestfabricators.com/guides/metal-fabrication-processes/)

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