subject: Advanced Composites for Aerospace Industry [print this page] Advanced Composites for Aerospace Industry
Aerospace industry is continuously evolving and the induction of advanced composites has contributed a lot to enhance the efficiency of airframe and aircraft supplies over the last 15 years. This process involves the advancements in various technologies such as Jet Engines but it all comprises of small developments. Today, latest generation aircraft use advanced composites which result in weight saving of the order of 1% of the operating weight empty. The cut-throat competition in the commercial aviation industry has triggered to develop new ways to reduce Direct Operating Costs (DOC). The biggest contribution is first cost followed by fuel.
In order to grab the most of the market, there is a need of continuous research and development in the aviation sector. This move eventually would result in a huge sufficient improvement in DOC so we need to improve in all sectors. The main purpose is to reduce the weight of the aircraft along with the reduction in the overall cost of the aircraft. One good choice is to incorporate the use of advanced composites in aviation sector. Current generation (A320 and A340) generally have around 15% by weight of composite in the structure. In case of the main wingbox was to be composite, this ration would increase to 40%.
The composite wing programme has carried out research into the most efficient way of manufacturing a wingbox from carbon fibre composites. The importance of durability and maintainability of the aircraft structure in service in considered. The aviation industry introduced advanced composites carefully to ensure the capabilities of these new materials hence the most of the carbon components used on civil aircraft is of detachable aircraft structures. Moving aerodynamic surfaces, radomes, fairings, and engine cowl are all examples of composite components.
For structure specific to wings, trailing and leading edges contain numerous lightweight composite parts which, because of their location, are crucial to impact from service vehicles and other hazards on the ground.
Synergy Composites Ltd is an innovative company specialising the manufacture of carbon fibre components, our composite components and advanced composites have been used in some of the world's most demanding industrial environments.
