Composites technology in aviation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12168327

Keywords:

composites technology, aviation, lightweight, fuel efficiency, design flexibility, corrosion resistance, reduced maintenance, acoustic properties, aerospace innovation

Abstract

Composites technology has revolutionized the aerospace industry, offering a compelling alternative to traditional materials and driving advancements in aircraft design, performance, and efficiency. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of composites technology in aviation, highlighting key aspects such as material composition, weight reduction, fuel efficiency, corrosion resistance, design flexibility, reduced maintenance, acoustic properties, and future developments. Composites, composed of fibers embedded in a resin matrix, offer superior strength-to-weight ratios and resistance to corrosion and fatigue compared to metals, making them ideal for aerospace applications. The lightweight nature of composites contributes to fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, increased payload capacity, and longer flight ranges. Moreover, composites' design flexibility enables engineers to create aerodynamically optimized structures, while their reduced maintenance requirements result in cost savings over the lifespan of an aircraft. Additionally, composites exhibit excellent acoustic properties, dampening vibrations and attenuating sound transmission to create a quieter and more comfortable cabin environment for passengers. Future developments in composites technology, driven by research in nanotechnology and additive manufacturing, hold promise for further enhancing the performance, strength, and cost-effectiveness of composite materials in aviation. By investing in innovation and leveraging emerging technologies, the aviation industry is poised to unlock new possibilities for the use of composites in aircraft design, construction, and operation, ensuring continued advancements in safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Author Biographies

  • Katarzyna Kostur, Polish Airforce Academy

    Katarzyna Kostur- Ph.D. Eng. Pilot, lecturer at Polish Airforce Academy-Dęblin, M. Sc. Eng.-University of Science and Technology (AHG), Kraków. Aerospace Technology Project Director – Researcher, Wademekum Project Manager.
    2015-2024-Cabin Crew Member-purser Jet Story Airline-business executive airline. 2014-unitll now lecturer at Polish Air Force Academy (Aviation Management, Aviation Safety, Aviation Operations), 2004-2008-Centralwings airline, Cabin Crew Member – purser-flying on Boeing 737-Cabin Crew Manager, 2001 – 2004 LOT Polish Airlines S.A-cabin crew member (Ratings on purser, flying on EMJ-145, EMJ-170, Boeing 737 (300, 400, 500), Boeing 767 (200, 300), Recurrent Emergency trainings, Differences training, Qualifications certificate of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Operator. Author and coauthor over 15 publications from aerospace sector.

  • Małgorzata Żmigrodzka, Polish Air Force Academy

    Małgorzata Żmigrodzka Ph.D.– assistant profesor at Polish Air Force Academy Department of National Security and Logistics. Expert in the R & D Project: Innovative, mobile training simulator for ground handling operators (SG OP 4.1.4). Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Transport.
    She has over 20 years of experience in state (Polish Goverment) and commercial aviation ( PLL LOT, Airpolonia, Centralwings).  As cabin crew instructor / coach she was responsible for conducting the training for cabin crew to control knowledge and use of safety procedures on board: this included, procedures, principles of cooperation and communication within the crew, programs, newsletters, manuals, cabin crew, supervisor as well as air regulations. 
    She was working closely with the Centre for EU Transport Projects (CUPT) to promote the development of aviation infrastructure implemented EU projects for the XII Infrastructure and Environment Programme. In TVP she promoted safety procedurs for operators of drons.

  • Tomasz Balcerzak, Lazarski University

    Tomasz Balcerzak, PhD. Eng. Pilot: Assistant Professor at Lazarski University, CEO of Wademekum LTD. and Aerospace Technology LTD., Expert European Commission Research Executive Agency (REA), Expert of European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency. Extensive experience in the aviation industry in managing projects of the operating companies. Few times airline CEO or COO, founder and co-founder of several companies. Author and coauthor over 50 publications. Specializes in transportation, logistics, aviation and space.

  • Jan Rajchel, University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce

    Brig. Gen. (res.) pilot Ph.D. Eng., professor at the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Security Sciences. Academic teacher with many years of experience, member of the Disciplinary Council - Security Sciences of the UPH, member of the Polish Society of Security Sciences, long-time member of the Scientific Council of the Air Force Institute of Technology. Lecturer at the Poznań University of Technology and in the past professor at the Poznań University of Technology. Paweł Włodkowic in Płock. Currently also employed at Thales Polska as a Sector Council Animator. Competencies of the aerospace industry, operating under the operational program Knowledge - Education - Development 2014-2020.
    Master-class military pilot with over 2,000 hours of total flight time (MiG 21, MiG 29). Last position - Rector of the Air Force Academy in Dęblin, whose achievements resulted in its name being entered into the Book of Honor of the Polish Army. For developing and implementing an innovative aviation training system, he was awarded the "Blue Wings" award.
    He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1988. starting service in the units of the 4th Fighter Aviation Division. During his military service, he held command positions at tactical and operational levels. The culmination of his military service was the position of Deputy Chief of Air Forces of the Air Force Command and Rector-Commandant of the Air Force Academy in Dęblin.

  • Natalia Moch, Military University of Technology in Warsaw

    Natalia Moch - doctor of social sciences in the discipline of security science. Assistant professor at the Faculty of Security, Logistics and Management of the Military University of Technology in Warsaw, deputy director for scientific affairs at the Institute of Security and Defense. Scientific and didactic research focuses on issues related to the national security system, crisis management, contemporary security conditions and smart cities. Author or co-author of several scientific monographs and dozens of chapters in monographs and scientific articles. He is a scientific reviewer in domestic and foreign journals.

  • Andrzej Skwarski, Jacob of Paradies University (Polish: Akademia im. Jakuba z Paradyża) in Gorzów Wielkopolski

    Doctor – Assistant Professor at the Jacob of Paradies University (Polish: Akademia im. Jakuba z Paradyża) in Gorzów Wielkopolski since 2016. Previously, he was a lecturer at the Military University of Technology, University of Social and Economics in Łódź and the University of Białystok. Retired special services officer with experience in combating corruption, organized crime and terrorism. Scientific interests of special services, methods of combating corruption, problems of organized crime, threats related to disinformation and infodemic.

  • Paweł Lubecki, University of Economics in Kraków

    Paweł Lubecki has over 20 years of investment banking experience, including M&A, capital markets, private equity, and equity research. Previously worked as director of M&A advisory for ING Bank and HSBC Global Investment Banking in London and Warsaw. Advised, among others in the exit of a Private Equity fund from home.pl, a leader of hosting services in Poland, sale of Polkomtel to Zygmunt Solorz-Żak – landmark M&A transaction, sale of Vattenfall’s all power generation and distribution assets in Poland, advised PGNiG on the acquisition of hydrocarbon deposits on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, executed P2P transaction of PEP - renewables generation company by Kulczyk Investment, advised Polish Treasury Ministry on a hostile takeover defence against takeover for Grupa Azoty - the largest fully fledged hostile defence strategy in the CEE, P2P of Teta and WSiP by international investors. In addition, advised on multiple IPOs and SPOs on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, including Wittchen, Avia Asset Management, Tauron Group, Kernel, IMC, BOS Bank, PGNiG. Also advised corporations on long term financing, among others the Tauron Group, a utility on its flagship Eurobonds issue. 

    Apart from it, he managed on behalf of private investors several restructuring and shareholder’s value enhancing transactions involving MBO, bolt-on acquisitions, new product launching and strategic spin-offs, among others for Vistula, PPWK, Delikatesy Centrum, KFA, WSiP, and Grupa Vox. Prior to that responsible for CEE equity research at Erste Securities in Warsaw and Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia in London. Pawel Lubecki currently advises corporations and entrepreneurs, including technology start-ups on various financial assignments. 

    Completed graduate studies with major in finance in Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in Clermont-Ferrand (France), earned PhD in financial economics at the University of Economics in Kraków, as well as studied Fin Tech at the University of Oxford. After completion of PhD thesis provided lectures in macroeconomics, corporate finance, and investment valuation at the University of Economics in Kraków and at WSB National Louis University MBA. Author of ”Venture Capital” a handbook on entrepreneurial finance, published in 2020 as well as several papers relating to financial markets development. Speaks fluent English and French and conversational Russian and Italian. 

  • Ireneusz Konieczny, National Defense University , Warsaw

    Ireneusz Konieczny, Master of Organization and Management, completed doctoral studies at the National Defense University - Management of Public Institutions. Since 2014, he has been running his own company (training institution) ODBAS - Business Defense Organization in the area of ​​consulting and training in the field of organizational security and enterprise management, in particular producing and trading in licensed materials for the army and police. Professionally trained and licensed to trade products and technology for military and police purposes. Lead auditor of ISO 27001 (information security management system). Representative for personal data protection, business security, co-author of the postgraduate program at the University of Humanities in Gdańsk in the field of management of licensed activities (nominated in 2016 for the Eurosymbol of Modern Education title), training in enterprise security management and for public institutions, including for the Ministry of Justice. Since 1990, a soldier and an officer of the state security service, in particular in the area of ​​counteracting corruption and terrorism.

  • Rafał Orłowski, Warsaw Technical University
    Rafał Orłowski-Aviation Expert. Results-oriented manager with over 20 years aviation extensive experience in demanding, mission-critical environments. Driver of organizational change through business, customer-oriented process focus, strategic planning and innovating solutions. Dedicated team builder and team player who has demonstrated results in sales and contract negotiations for many corporations in many types of organizational environments. Offering a unique combination of creativity and analytic skills with the ability to assess many vantage points to create innovative and cost-effective solutions. Areas of expertise: • Strategic planning, budget forecasting and tracking • Leadership, team building and staff management • Critical problem-solving, conflict resolution • Continuous improvement and analysis • Good knowledge of Revenue Management, Yield Management, Charter Contracts negotiations and management • Systems and applications implementation • New products incubation. Position hold: Commercial Director, Managing Director, Sales and Revenue Management Director, Project Manager, Sales Manager, Analysis Specialist.

References

Aerospace Manufacturing. (2013). Composite Solutions for Aircraft Retrofit. Aerospace Manufacturing.

Alam, P., Beg, M. D. H., Rizwanul Fattah, I. M., & Habib, M. A. (2012). Tensile strength and flexural modulus enhancement of glass fiber/epoxy composite using halloysite nanotubes. Materials & Design, 42, 326-330.

Ambrosius, J. (2016). Resin transfer molding (RTM) of advanced polymer composites. In Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (pp. 153-177). Woodhead Publishing.

Baker, A. A., Davenport, J. R., & Jones, R. G. (2006). Composite materials for aircraft structures (2nd ed.). American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Baker, D., & Dutton, J. (2018). Flight Plan 2050: Europe's Vision for Aviation. European Commission.

M Barburski, TS Lemmi, A Kabzinski, K Frukacz Effect of vulcanization process parameters on the tensile strength of carcass of textile-rubber reinforced conveyor belts, Materials 14 (24), 7552.

M Barburski, TS Lemmi , A Kabziński, K Frukacz Effect of thermal aging on the mechanical properties of high tenacity polyester yarn, Materials 14 (7), 1666, 2021.

Beardmore, P., & Johnson, C. F. (1986). The potential for composites in structural automotive applications. Composites Science and Technology, 26(4), 251-281.

Beaumont, P. W. R., Soutis, C., & Hodzic, A. (2003). Damage resistance of thin-ply carbon fibre/epoxy composites. Composite Structures, 59(3), 309-320.

Bhattacharyya, D. (2012). Aircraft Materials & Processes. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.

Campbell, F. C. (2010). Manufacturing technology for aerospace structural materials. Elsevier.

Friedrich, K., & Almajid, A. A. (2013). Manufacturing aspects of advanced polymer composites for automotive applications. Applied Composite Materials, 20(2), 107-128.

Gibson, R. F. (2012). Principles of composite material mechanics (3rd ed.). CRC Press.

Greenhalgh, E. (2021). Structural integrity and durability of advanced composites. Woodhead Publishing.

Hassan, T., Munir, A., Abid, M., & Khan, M. A. (2016). A review on materials selection for aircraft components. International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, 11(1), 1-19.

Hileman, J. I. (2016). Analysis: Aircraft manufacturers look to advanced composites for the future. Aviation Week & Space Technology.

Hull, D., & Clyne, T. W. (1996). An introduction to composite materials (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Jones, R. M. (1999). Mechanics of composite materials (2nd ed.). CRC Press.

Jones, R. M., & Vale, S. (2012). Marine Applications of Advanced Fibre-reinforced Composites. Woodhead Publishing.

Mirjalili, M., Rafiee, R., Kashi, S., Naeij, A. R., Ghasemi, I., & Zarei, S. A. (2015). A review of advanced composite materials employed in aerospace industry. In Aerospace Materials and Material Technologies (pp. 271-292). Springer.

Molina, M. A., Genesca, J., & Echániz, E. (2017). Corrosion Fatigue of Aircraft Materials. Springer.

Mouritz, A. P. (2012). Introduction to aerospace materials. Woodhead Publishing.

Neto, A. J. S., Cunha, V. M. C. F., Soares, D., Carneiro, O. S., & Costa, C. M. (2018). Recent advances and future trends in aerospace composite materials and manufacturing technologies. In Advanced Composite Materials for Aerospace Engineering (pp. 3-23). Springer.

Peters, S. T., & Schwartz, M. M. (2012). Corrosion: Understanding the Basics. ASM International.

Rosenberg, B. (2016). Sound absorption in composite materials. In Acoustic Absorbers and Diffusers (pp. 371-394). CRC Press.

Roskam, J. (1985). Airplane Design: Layout Design of Cockpit, Fuselage, Wing and Empennage: Cutaways and Inboard Profiles. DARcorporation.

Scherer, M. (2020). Advanced fiber placement for high-performance composites. Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, 3(2), 245-259.

Sengezer, B., Giannakoglou, K., & Bilgen, E. (2017). Airframe Drag Reduction for Fuel Burn Savings: A Review. Journal of Aircraft, 54(3), 963-987.

Smith, M. J., Gerges, S. N., & Anderson, J. E. (2011). An assessment of damping in composite materials and structures. Journal of Vibration and Control, 17(1), 3-20.

Soutis, C. (2005). Fibre reinforced composites in aircraft construction. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 41(2), 143-151.

Wang, S., Hu, S., Li, G., & Wei, L. (2020). Development and application of composite materials in civil aircraft interiors. International Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2020, 1-19.

Zainuddin, S., Bachtiar, D., & Siregar, J. P. (2019). Recent advances in additive manufacturing technologies for aerospace industry. In 2019 6th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Applications (ICIEA) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.

Published

2024-06-19

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2024): Scientific Journal of Safety and Logistics

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Scientific Journal of Safety and Logistics

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Composites technology in aviation. (2024). Scientific Journal of Safety and Logistics, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12168327

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >> 

Similar Articles

1-10 of 19

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.