Introduction
Modern aviation constantly faces the challenges of growing competition and rising fuel costs. An obvious solution to these problems is to reduce the weight of aircraft through the use of composite materials. Currently, the share of composites in the structures of modern aviation is not very high, but in a new generation of aircraft, this percentage will increase significantly. The development of new materials and the introduction of innovative technologies into the manufacturing process are potentially valuable for optimizing production and increasing safety. This work aims to highlight which composites are used in aviation and what advantages these materials have compared to traditional ones.
Features of Composite Materials in Aviation
Composites are heterogeneous materials composed of two or more components that differ in both chemical and physical properties. Among their features, one can single out reinforcing elements providing the necessary mechanical characteristics and a matrix, or binder, that ensures the joint work of reinforcing elements (“Composites in the aircraft industry,” n.d.). As a result of the combination of these components, new materials appear with unique properties, and due to their high-density indicators, their use in aviation is permissible.
Microdamages are inherent in traditional homogeneous materials, which makes them vulnerable to pressure and load. To get rid of them, such materials are used in the form of a thin fiber, and the smaller the thickness, the fewer defects remain in its section (“Wood, composite, and transparent plastic structures,” 2017). According to Kesarwani (2017), such fibers are enclosed in a matrix that ensures the joint work of the fibers in compression, tension, and bending. The properties of the fiber allow achieving high strength and stiffness values. The names of many composites include the types of fibers and matrices: carbon fiber reinforced plastics, fiberglass, and other materials (Kesarwani, 2017). The first word characterizes the type of hardeners, for instance, carbon, glass, and other fibers and fabrics, and the second one – is the types of bonding material, for example, plastics based on various resins or adhesives. These properties contribute to producing safe and relatively light details for aircraft manufacturing.
Benefits of Using Composites in Aviation
Composites are used as replacements for steel and aluminum because they are durable and resistant to corrosion, which makes their use in aviation profitable and safe. Another important advantage is the ability to independently choose the type of material, orientation, and volumetric content of fibers when designing (Kesarwani, 2017). This makes it possible to obtain structural materials with the desired functional properties and makes the use of composites a valuable and promising direction in aircraft construction. A relatively low weight of raw materials plays a critical role, as well as the ability to create complex aerodynamic surfaces of the highest quality.
The use of composites in the creation of the power section of the aircraft structure allows not only reducing weight but also its aerodynamic perfection. Moreover, when using this raw material, about 20% of fuel is saved, which is an objective reason for the transition to such components in aircraft production (“Composites in the aircraft industry,” n.d., para. 15). The use of composites provides an increase in the power of engines and the reduction of machines’ and devices’ weight. High-modulus carbon fiber is used for the manufacture of aircraft parts, for thermal protection, aircraft brake discs, and chemically resistant equipment (“Wood, composite, and transparent plastic structures,” 2017). Boron fiber products are utilized to create profiles, panels, rotors, and propeller blades (“Wood, composite, and transparent plastic structures,” 2017). The range of the use of composites is extensive, which explains the relevance of the transition to a new production model.
Aramid Composites in Aviation
One of the common composites used not only in aviation but also in other industries is aramid. Kevlar is its alternative name that may be better known (“Wood, composite, and transparent plastic structures,” 2017). This material belongs to the groups of organic polymers, and structural organic plastics reinforced with aramid fibers are lightweight composites (“Wood, composite, and transparent plastic structures,” 2017). As Kesarwani (2017) notes, due to these fibers, which are characterized by an extremely energy-intensive nature of destruction, organic plastics have a high resistance to damage after mechanical shocks of various degrees of intensity. Structures made of aramid are lightweight, impact-resistant, and erosion-resistant plating of helicopters, rotors, airplane wins, shock-resistant protective screens, and other details. The disadvantages of aramid are increased moisture absorption and stretching (“Wood, composite, and transparent plastic structures,” 2017). Therefore, working with this material requires following precise processing instructions on professional equipment.
Conclusion
The analysis of composites in aviation proves that these materials have numerous advantages over traditional ones and are the future of the aircraft industry due to the quality of production and potential savings, including fuel. Lighter weight, strength, and other features reflect the value of utilizing composites and the relevance of switching to them as the main manufacturing materials. Aramid, better known as Kevlar, is one of the most common composites and, despite some disadvantages, has high impact-resistant characteristics.
References
Composites in the aircraft industry. (n.d.). Web.
Kesarwani, S. (2017). Polymer composites in aviation sector. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 6(06), 518-525.
Wood, composite, and transparent plastic structures. (2017). Web.