Aviation composites are one of our specialties here at Aerodine. Also known as aerospace composites, they are materials that combine high strength fibers with resin matrices to facilitate designs that have revolutionized flight. We would go so far as to say that composites are superior to aluminum alloys for most aerospace applications.
That is a pretty strong assertion. But the evidence bears it out. If you know anything about aviation composites and their advantages over aluminum alloys, you likely understand our position on the matter. So what are those advantages? Let us take a look.
It is no secret that the biggest advantage composite materials bring to bear is their superior strength-to-weight ratios. Take carbon fiber, for example. It comes in at 70% the weight of aluminum and 25% the weight of steel. Nonetheless, carbon fiber is considerably stronger and stiffer than both traditional materials.
This is key in that a better strength-to-weight ratio allows engineers to design stronger yet lighter aircraft. They can build planes that are more fuel efficient yet still perform better. This fact alone explains why passenger aircraft continue to get larger.
Total aircraft weight is a big thing in aerospace. Advanced aviation composites help keep it down. We have already mentioned fuel efficiency as being one of the advantages aerospace composites offer, and fuel efficiency is directly tied to weight. Reducing weight reduces fuel consumption.
On its face, fuel efficiency is significant enough to motivate manufacturers to build lighter aircraft. But think of this: saving weight on an airplane’s structure allows for carrying more weight – in terms of both passengers and cargo. That means each plane can generate more revenue without burning more fuel.
Modern aircraft boast some incredibly complex designs, designs that never would have been possible before composite materials were available. For instance, aerospace composites can be molded into complex shapes to create streamlined, aerodynamically efficient aircraft. Aerodynamic improvements boost performance and help make aircraft more aesthetically pleasing.
Passenger airlines and cargo haulers alike do their best to maintain expenses. They benefit from aerospace composites inasmuch as the advanced materials lead to long term cost savings.
While it’s true that composites cost more than aluminum alloys initially, they end up costing less over time because they require less maintenance. When you combine lower maintenance requirements with greater fuel efficiency, you are getting a lot more bang for your buck with aviation composite materials.
One of the lesser-known benefits of aviation composites is the fact that they encourage part consolidation. In other words, a single composite part can often replace multiple metal parts in an aircraft design. This makes for design simplification and additional cost savings.
Manufacturing fewer parts saves money and time. It reduces maintenance, complexity, and the hassle of having to keep so many parts on hand in the maintenance hangar. Maintenance and upkeep are more streamlined as a result.
Composite materials generally don’t perform well as conductors of heat and electricity. That means they can be used as insulating materials for sensitive aircraft components. Their thermal and electrical insulating capabilities make them a better choice than aluminum and steel.
There is a lot more we could say about aviation composites and their superiority over aluminum alloys. However, the point is clear enough. Whether you call them aviation or aerospace composites, the materials that make up the bulk of a modern aircraft make that aircraft stronger, lighter, more fuel efficient, and better from a performance perspective.
