What materials are used to make a drone? Consumer drones are made from materials that are lightweight and that allow the device to move with ease and precision. The materials need to be strong and cannot be easily bent or broken. In short, drones are made out of the same materials that are used for pretty much all modern technology.
Materials Used for Drones
The Frame
Most consumer drone frames, such as the DJI Phantom and Mavic, are made from magnesium alloy. This is a mixture of magnesium with other metals, which combine to create an alloy. This metal is generally used in modern technology, including laptops, smartphones, televisions, and aircraft, cars, power tools, seat frames, and much more. Reports show that the alloy used for the Mavic Air is 90% magnesium, 9% aluminum, and 1% zinc. This combination component is called AZ91D.
AZ91D is incredibly lightweight and extremely strong. It’s highly resistant to corrosion and, in comparison to other alloys, much easier to manufacture. The component has a density of 1.7g/cm3, making it one of the lightest structural metals in the world. All of this resulting in a metal that is perfect for a quadcopter.
Titanium alloys are also used for drones. For example, the DJI Phantom 4 Advanced quadcopter is made from titanium alloy, a metal that is regularly used in aircraft, spacecraft, medical devices, and bicycles. The use of titanium alloy makes the Advanced Quadcopter light. In fact, the Advanced is lighter than the original DJI Phantom 4 at just 1368g (with batteries and propellers included), compared to the 1380g of the original Phantom 4.
Another common material used to create frames is carbon fiber. However, carbon fiber is known to block radio signals, which can be problematic if used for the main body and frame of the drone. Since quadcopters generally rely on radio signals, it’s best to use a different material such as magnesium or titanium alloy which are far sturdier and safer.
Propellers
Most drone propellers are made from a plastic compound that is also made from carbon fiber. Whatever material is used for the propellers will ultimately affect its stiffness and durability and, in relation, its flight performance and speed.
The most commonly used propellers are made of plastic. Plastic propellers are used by most drone hobbyists since they’re more flexible and can be bent if a drone crashes, preventing them from snapping or breaking- quite helpful for new hobbyists who are learning or having difficulty flying the gadget. However, plastic propellers have a tendency to vibrate as they rotate, which can affect the drone’s flight performance.
Carbon fiber propellers, meanwhile, are stiffer and quieter in flight. Advantages of these propellers are that they’re lighter and stronger than plastic propellers, but the disadvantage is that they’re expensive. In fact, the price prevents numerous hobbyists from using them with everyday drones. The inflexibility of carbon fiber also increases the likeliness of snaps or breaks if a crash occurs. Replacing a broken propeller can be costly, so we do recommend plastic propellers for those just starting out.
Batteries
The batteries used to power quadcopters generally come in two varieties: Lithium Polymer (LiPO) and Lithium Polymer High Voltage (LiHV). There are several differences between the two batteries.
| LiPO | LiHV |
| 4.2V | 4.35V |
| Powerful | More powerful |
| Most common in DJI Drones | Used more often in smaller drones |
Warning: drone batteries have been reported to catch fire. Though quite rare, battery fires have been reported while a battery is damaged or when it is charging. We suggest that drone hobbyists store their batteries in a fire-proof bag or box to prevent any incidents from occurring. Though not common, it's better safe than sorry.
DIY Drones: Made From Different Materials
What you may not realize is that some drone hobbyists make their own drones rather than purchasing the aircraft from big name brands. This DYI approach gives a sense of personalization, fun, and wonder.
Naturally, it can be difficult to gain access to special materials like magnesium alloy, carbon glass, and aluminum alloy. This is why many people turn towards other materials that are commonly found like:
Wood
One common material DIY drone hobbyists use to create their drones is wood. Wood is an extremely sturdy material and is cheap and accessible. While wood may not be as aesthetically pleasing as, say, magnesium alloy or carbon fiber, it does the job and it's easy to replace broken pieces if the drone crashes.
Drone pilots can paint the wooden frame in any way, making a more attractive device. It's possible to even carve the frame into the exact shape that the artist imagines. DIY drones ensure unique looks that others cannot copy. Make sure to choose strong, durable wood for this process.
Plastic
Another common material used for DIY drones is plastic. Try using a 3D printer to print the parts or the entire frame. 3D printing is generally best used for smaller drones.
Aluminum
Aluminum is another popular material used to make DIY drones. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, flexible, and accessible. Many hobbyists create their entire drone frame out of aluminum, while others just use the material to support their frame or to make other parts of the drone. Aluminum is likely the best material to create a DIY drone, though it may prevent customization.
What Material Should I Look for in My Drone?
By now, you should understand that the material the drone is made from will significantly affect its flight performance and appearance. If you’re buying a drone form a big name brand, you’ll want your quadcopter to look attractive and provide excellent flight performance and precision.
With this in mind, it’s a good idea to try and purchase a drone made from magnesium alloy, as it's lightweight and great for flying. While it’s generally quite difficult to find out what a specific drone model is made from, you’re in luck. This is because most common drone brands use magnesium alloy or titanium alloy materials for their gadgets. Currently, they’re some of the best materials for quadcopters as they allow your drone to look great and provide hobbyists with amazing performance. What more could you want?
If you’ve decided to try and make your own drone, the best commonly used material is generally aluminum, as its lightweight and flexible. Since it’s readily accessible and generally inexpensive, you should not encounter problems finding the material. If you’re wanting to save money, we suggest you experiment with wood, which is cheap and easy to find. Carving your frame by hand could prove to be even more fun than using aluminum too!
