Composite Materials in the aerospace industry
What are composites?
• Composite materials are composed of two or more constituents stuck together with an epoxy
• These constituents have different physical and chemical properties that allow them to remain separate in the final structure
• The constituents are layered on top of each other as shown above
Why do we use composites?
• Composites are used in the aerospace industry because they provide benefits that their substitute materials cannot.
• The plane that uses composites the most in aerospace is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Boeing 787
Airbus’ use of composites
Aircrafts built using composites
% made from Composites
Airbus A320 10%
Airbus A380 25%
Airbus A400 M 30-35%
Airbus A350 53%
Benefit to aerospace companies
• The largest benefit of composite materials in aircraft structure is the light weight of the material.
• Boeing 787 consumes 20% less fuel than the similar sized 767
• Another benefit is the machining required to manufacture composite materials.
• The machines are smaller and much cheaper than machines used to manufacture metal materials.
Benefit to aerospace companies
Disadvantages of composites
• The manufacturing process of composite materials has not been perfected.
• The process of perfecting it is time inefficient because companies must perfect it with trial and error.
Composites expanding to other industries
• The new Lenovo laptop is structured with carbon composite materials
• Composites are now being used in the new z06 Chevy Corvette
• Composites make up the body and the hood.
Composites expanding to other industries
Web links
efunda Composite Information
Appropedia: Information about composites in the aerospace industry
myyellowcoat: Nature of Composite
Works cited • "EFunda: Introduction to Composite Materials." EFunda:
The Ultimate Online Reference for Engineers. 2012. Web. 07 Nov 2012. <http://www.efunda.com/formulae/solid_mechanics/composites/comp_intro.cfm>.
• Hahn, Prof H.Thomas. " Journal of Composite Materials ." Jcm. SAGE Publications , 2012. Web. 08 Nov 2012. <http://jcm.sagepub.com>.
• "Putting it together – the science and technology of composite materials - Academy of Science." Home - Australian Academy of Science . 2000. Web. 11 Nov 2012. <http://www.science.org.au/nova/059/059key.html>.