The thrust-to-weight ratio is one of the most critical variables for evaluating how well an aircraft
will perform. The goal of aerospace producers has always been to maintain this ratio as low as
possible by designing lighter aircraft, yet the metals used in airplane bodies are generally heavy.
Composites, on the other hand, are lightweight. When combined with metal, they allow
manufacturers to construct more fuel-efficient aircraft. Here is a brief look at the history of
composites in the aerospace industry and where they’re headed in the future.
A Brief History of Composites in the Aerospace Industry
Aerospace composite products began to be widely used in the aircraft industry as early as the
1950’s. They’ve overtaken aluminum in an increasing number of applications, including the
fuselage and main structure, because of their lighter and more robust characteristics.
Carbon fibers and glass fibers are examples of aerospace composites, which are made up of
two or more components. Fiberglass is a composite made up of epoxy resin used in aircraft and
glass fibers.
Nearly 70 years ago, Boeing was the first airplane manufacturer to employ it. The Boeing 787
Dreamliner, which was initially launched into service in 2011 by Nippon Airways, was the first
commercial airliner to be built entirely from composite materials, primarily carbon fiber
composites.
The Benefits of Composite Manufacturing In the Aerospace Industry
Composites’ lightweight properties are far from their only advantage in the aircraft business.
Composites also offer excellent tensile strength, thermal stability, and impact resistance, all of
which help aircraft built with aerospace composite products perform better during accidents.
Composites also outperform conventional materials in terms of fatigue and corrosion resistance.
They’re also simple to put together. All of these advantages are becoming more evident as
composite technology improves and the cost of aerospace manufacturing with composites
decreases.
Where the Future of Composite Manufacturing and Aerospace Composites is Headed
With rising fuel costs, commercial aerospace makers are under pressure to improve aircraft
performance, which includes reducing weight. It is quite likely that future aircraft will be
constructed from composite materials, based on the progress made so far in composite building
techniques.
In conclusion, composite technology is progressing rapidly, and the development of new types
of composites, such as basalt forms and carbon nanotubes, will only speed the use of
composites in aerospace manufacturing. It is the future of composite manufacturing in the
aerospace industry.