Transcript Composites
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
Benefit to aerospace
companies
• Another benefit is the machining required to manufacture
composite materials.
• The machines are smaller and much cheaper than
machines used to manufacture metal materials.
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 expanding to
other industries
• Composites are now being used in the new z06
Chevy Corvette
• Composites make up the body and the hood.
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/com
posites/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>.