Polymers in Aerospace Applications - May 2011
This month we're looking at the use of polymers in aerospace applications.
By combining a polymer matrix with a filler with different properties you can form a polymer composite that has real strength and weighs considerably less than other materials. Carbon fibre is a key example of this and has proved so successful that it has become a household term; it is widely understood that anything made from carbon fibre will be super-strong and super-lightweight. This and other polymer composites are at the forefront of development in aerospace applications as they have the capacity to help reduce overall plane weight and therefore fuel consumption, yet offer improved performance in very tough conditions.
If you work in or supply to the Aerospace Industry you'll already know that material selection is critical. With safety and huge costs at stake the standards are high and continuing to be pushed. Why not have a look below at some of the latest key research on this subject that's been added to the Polymer Library. If you'd like to keep up-to-date with this kind of information then read more below.
Abstracts
Please see below a selection of abstracts highlighted in the May Newsletter. These are records which relate to the use of polymers in aerospace applications that have been recently added to the Polymer Library.
Click on the 7-digit accession numbers to find out about ordering a copyright-cleared full text copy of the items shown.
1080314 - HIGH TEMPERATURE VARTM OF PHENYLETHYNYL TERMINATED IMIDE (PETI) RESINS
High temperature vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding trials were conducted on two PETI resins, LARC PETI-330 and LARC PETI-8, with the aim of reducing voids to less than 2 percent for aerospace applications. The resins were infused into carbon fibre preforms at 260 degrees C and cured between 316 and 371 degrees Centigrade. The moulded composite panels were scanned using an ultrasonic scanner and the mechanical properties of the panels determined by short beam shear strength and flexural testing at room temperature and elevated temperatures. Void contents were determined by acid digestion. Panels with low void content were obtained by curing at a lower temperature and for a longer period of time and by staging the cure cycle. 18 refs.
SAMPE Journal, 47, No.2, March-April 2011, p.6/15, ISSN: 0091-1062
Ghose S; Cano R J; Britton S M; Watson K A; Jensen B J; Connell J W
1079458 - HARBIN HAFEI AIRBUS COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING CENTRE OPENS NEW FACILITIES TO PRODUCE A350 XWB COMPONENTS IN CHINA (free full text)
The Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre, a joint venture between leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus and its Chinese partners, has opened in Harbin, China. The new 33,800-square-metres state-of-the-art facilities will mainly be used to manufacture composite components for the "A350 XWB", the latest aircraft programme from Airbus, which will set new standards in terms of eco-efficiency and passenger appeal. The Centre, which uses the world's most advanced equipment and technology, will eventually be an 80,000-square-metres manufacturing compound, comprising production, technical support, office areas and other services. Full information is presented in this detailed press release.
Airbus, 28th Feb.2011
1078706 - NON-AUTOCLAVE (PREPREG) MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY FOR PRIMARY AEROSPACE STRUCTURES
An overview is presented of an extended programme (Non-Autoclave Manufacturing Technology) jointly conducted by a Boeing-led team and the US Government (DARPA) under the guidance of the Air Force to address the challenges to enable disruptive, pervasive use of vacuum-bag-only prepreg for reduced recurring cost and cycle time for primary aerospace structures. It covers transition and replication to fabricators, material characterisation and process modelling, and scale-up studies for several processing/design concepts for primary aerospace structures. The programme deals primarily with hand lay-up of Cycom 5320 and Cycom 5320-1 families of out-of-autoclave processed prepregs and associated processing/manufacturing technology development. 25 refs.
SAMPE Journal, 47, No.1, Jan.-Feb.2011, p.6-13, ISSN: 0091-1062
Hahn G L; Bond G G
1078335 - DESIGNING A LIGHTER, CLEANER AIRCRAFT: EADS PUSHES THE COMPOSITE ENVELOPE
The work of a group of business units and aerospace partners engaged in the development of more environmentally friendly and sustainable commercial aircraft designs based on reduced emissions and manufacturing costs by means of innovative composite design and manufacturing methods applied to one component at a time is described. The application of finite element analysis to the composite structural analysis of a wing component of a passenger aircraft is discussed. 1 refs.
JEC Composites, No.62, Jan.-Feb.2011, p.50-52, ISSN: 1639-965X
Hardee C
1077262 - ZINC-BASED COMPOUNDS AS SMOKE SUPPRESSANT AGENTS FOR AN AEROSPACE EPOXY MATRIX
Details are given of the smoke suppressant effect and flammability performance of zinc-based compounds in epoxy resin composites used in the aerospace and aeronautical industry. Flammability was screened using microcombustion calorimetry while smoke generation was analysed under dynamic conditions using cone calorimetry. 24 refs.
Polymer International, 60, No.2, Feb.2011, p.304-311, ISSN: 0959-8103, DOI: 10.1002/pi.2949
Formicola C; De Fenzo A; Zarrelli M; Giordano M; Antonucci V
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