Comments on: How come so many new airplanes nowaday are made out of composite materials?

By: Sutech

Sutech — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:06:59 +0000

Manufacturers are always looking for ways to increase efficiency and cut production costs. Composite materials are strong, don't corrode and after the initial tooling is done, cheaper to make.
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By: Pilsner Man

Pilsner Man — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:18:59 +0000

Nothing to add about the pros or cons. But do remember. you don't see wooden wheels on cars any more, and you aren't exploring the internet on a TRS80 computer. There are always better ways, many that we can't even comprehend yet.
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By: Techwing

Techwing — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:58:59 +0000

The objective is to make the aircraft lighter without sacrificing any necessary structural strength. A lighter aircraft can carry more payload with less fuel. The only problem is that the properties of composite materials are not nearly as well understood as those of more traditional materials, so there will be problems and accidents until understanding improves. This is one of the main factors holding back more widespread use of composites, although greed is applying very strong pressure in their favor.
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By: Dark Knight of the Raptor

Dark Knight of the Raptor — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:25:59 +0000

In addition to all the advantages mention by others, i.e. weight savings, strengh, etc. composites generally do not have corrosion issues unless it is allowed to come into contact with disimilar metals (at least one ply of fiberglas between carbon fiber & aluminium is necessary).
Moisture would be an ‘Achilles Heel’ of composites both in the manufacturing as well as the repair process. If moisture is allowed to remain undetected, it will ultimately lead to delamination quite possibly leading to structual failures.
Generally, composite material will be more expensive than aluminium or wood/ fabric. It will be aircraft manufacturers who can foot-the-tab until they can transpose this cost onto the consumer.
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By: Charles B

Charles B — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:40:59 +0000

Composites are lighter and stronger than traditional materials. They can be made in shapes that were impossible with metal and wood. They are another step forward in the development of modern aircraft. The reference to Airbus failures should address the manufacturers shortcomings, not the problems with the technology or materials. Boeing, unlike Airbus, fully tests and develops their product before putting it in service.
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In the aircraft industry since 1955.

By: Fang

Fang — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:06:59 +0000

Not my forte, but I’ll pop off a couple of things.

Composites won’t rust, for one. The humidity levels inside the aircraft should be able to be raised because of this. This should be more comfortable for the passengers and crew.
High humidity and metals in an aircraft may not be such a great idea in the long run.
Much less maintenance in the long run.

Composites can be quite strong and very much lighter than metal. This should save a hell of a lot of fuel and I gotta wonder what the survival rates will be in lighter aircraft in disaster situations compared to heavier aircraft. A lighter aircraft in distress, I might suspect, would possibly have a few advantages over metal ones (maybe?). Longer glide slopes, perhaps? Maybe a few extra seconds here and there to adapt to a falling out of the sky scenario?
Slightly less ‘brickish’?
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me – clueless about aircraft, but I’ve done plenty of building on yachts
Nothing wrong with composites on yachts until you reach a certain size/mass situation.

By: Michelle Beech

Michelle Beech — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:50:59 +0000

because it's cheaper and more lightweight. i agree, don't mess with success.
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By: Harley Drive

Harley Drive — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:42:59 +0000

you are 100% right, composite materials are not strong , they don’t last and de-laminate easily under stress , the tailplane falling off the new york airbus and the missing airbus over the atlantic are typical, several b1 stealth jets have crashed "for unknown reasons", it is exceeded only by the stupidity of "fly by wire" which again has caused problems which simply didn’t exist before , even the toyota problems are due to there being no direct connection between the pedal and the throttle, composite materials also cannot withstand constant changes of temperature and stress, I can break a 1/8 thick sheet of resin after a couple of bendings or even one, a similar sheet of aircraft alloy takes nearly a dozen to break,
I forecast dozens of structural failures as these "plastic" planes age, it will be back to the early days of jet travel when they were dropping out of the skies
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By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:13:59 +0000

The wheel may not have been broken, but it can be made a whole lot more efficient. Composite materials are much lighter and stronger than aluminum and wood. The lighter the aircraft, the less fuel consumption; the less fuel consumption, the more money in the pockets.
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By: JohnAdriaan

JohnAdriaan — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:52:59 +0000

Composite materials are either lighter, stronger, or both, compared to the other materials you mention. Also, it is difficult to get certain shapes with aluminium and wood, which you can mould instantly with composite
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