Aerospace

The aviation industry has always shown a great demand for high-strength lightweight materials. The steadily rising oil price is forcing airlines to save on fuel by developing lighter designs. This results in an increased focus on lightweight constructions. The increased use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics, short CFRP, up to ca. 50 percent of the structural weight in aircrafts such as the Boeing787 and the Airbus350, might be a good document.

Considered components are complete fuselages, wings and secondary structures such as the interior and blades or propellers. Novel combinations of materials can continue to reduce the weight of these structures and to increase the strength and corrosion resistance at the same time. A simplification of the assembly can be achieved through integrative construction, as well.