With the lead of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB, commercial airlines are gradually using carbon fiber composite materials to manufacture aircraft fuselages. Since carbon fiber is stronger than steel, lighter than aluminum, and can be processed into almost any shape, it is no wonder that aerospace engineers use carbon fiber composite structural materials to design their Dreamliner. Coupled with reduced fuel costs, improved aerodynamics and fewer parts requirements, it is not difficult to see that carbon fiber is ready to become the preferred aircraft structural material in the future.
Carbon fiber material can improve fuel efficiency
As we all know, in the aviation industry, the lighter the aircraft, the lower the operating cost. The lower weight improves fuel efficiency, which greatly reduces the overall operating cost of the aircraft. Due to the weight and rigidity of carbon fiber composite materials, aircraft manufacturers are increasingly inclined to this direction.
Compared with traditional aluminum aircraft, the weight of aircraft made of carbon fiber composite materials can be reduced by up to 20%. Experts estimate that for every kilogram of weight reduced, a total of approximately US$1 million in cost will be saved during the entire life cycle of the aircraft.
Carbon fiber materials can improve aerodynamics
In addition to reducing weight, another important factor affecting aircraft fuel efficiency is aerodynamics. The more stylish the design, the higher the fuel efficiency of the aircraft. Because the manufacturing process of carbon fiber composite materials can produce very smooth and complex geometric shapes, aircraft designers can more easily optimize the aerodynamic performance of carbon fiber aircraft.
In addition, the high stiffness of carbon fiber facilitates the use of swept-back wing designs in commercial aircraft, which can reduce fuel consumption by up to 5% by reducing aerodynamic drag.
Carbon fiber reduces the number of parts
Another reason why the use of carbon fiber in aircraft manufacturing can help reduce costs is that the number of parts required for aircraft manufacturing has decreased. For example, the Airbus A380 usually consists of about 6 million parts. However, because the carbon fiber composite parts are processed by molding, each mold can be designed to combine several different parts into one mold, thereby significantly reducing the number of parts required to construct the plane.
Since fewer components are required to build the aircraft, less manufacturing time is required. In addition, because carbon fiber parts are lighter in weight, fewer people are required for operation and assembly. All these factors add up greatly to save the cost of aircraft manufacturing.
Future aircraft design based on carbon fiber materials
In terms of aerodynamic efficiency control and fuel saving, the use of carbon fiber instead of traditional metal to manufacture aircraft can provide aircraft designers with greater flexibility. This flexibility also gives people the opportunity to change traditional aircraft design.
Commercial airplanes of the future may include designs in which the fuselage and wings are fused together, similar to some military airplanes of today. This design greatly improves the up/down ratio of the aircraft, which enables the aircraft to reduce its weight while improving the aerodynamic efficiency.
A newest Airbus concept aircraft introduced an aircraft with a wider and curved fuselage designed to improve airflow and provide more cabin space. Longer and thinner wings will reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. The U-shaped tail can play a shielding role to reduce engine noise.
Epilogue
Although carbon fiber has been used in aircraft manufacturing since the 1970s, with the improvement of manufacturing technology, new methods have been sought in the design and manufacturing of commercial aircraft. Due to the light weight, amazing strength and smooth surface of carbon fiber composite materials, it is bound to be It is an ideal material for manufacturing many parts of aircraft.
The use of carbon fiber in aircraft bodies can make them more fuel-efficient, more aerodynamic, and can make aircraft with fewer, lighter parts. All these factors add up to reduce manufacturing and operating costs. No wonder today's concept aircraft will use more carbon fiber composite materials. Obviously, carbon fiber will become the main material for manufacturing future aircraft bodies.
