Page 5 - Automotive Aerospace

Growing Use of Composite Materials

Composite materials combine different materials to achieve horizontal and vertical stabilizers, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics
greater specific strength than is available from a single material. (CFRP) combine plastics with carbon fibers having high specific
Fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) are typical composite materials. modulus of elasticity and specific strength.
Among these are glass-fiber-reinforced plastics (GFRP), which are The evaluation of fundamental mechanical properties is essential
widely used for aircraft wing fillets, fairings, control surfaces, for new materials, such as composites. Ongoing standardization
radomes, wing tips, and cabin floors. Widely used in important of sample shapes and test methods is intended to improve the
components such as aircraft wings, center wing boxes, and stability of material quality and enhance reliability.

Wing leading edge
Wing
Wing
Pressure bulkhead
Pressure bulkhead
Center wing box
Center wing box
Vertical stabilizer
Vertical stabilizer

Floor beam

tab
zer
s
Horizontal s biliz
Horizontal stabilizer
Tail cone

Engine cowl
Flap track panels
Tail fuselage L Landing gear door
selage
Tail fu
ic
h
CFRP Is U
h
e Parts in W
m
Some Parts in Which CFRP Is Used
Aircraft are designed to meet the requirements indicated in the design standards. Inspection and
testing of the aircraft structure and strength are performed at the manufacturing stage and flight
testing is conducted to confirm the performance and flying quality of the completed aircraft.
Testing includes static and fatigue testing at the materials development stage, endurance testing of all
parts and components, and impact testing to evaluate the fast fracture characteristics of the materials.
In recent years, it has become more important to observe fracture behavior. High-speed video
cameras are now commonly used to perform more sophisticated evaluations through
synchronized observations of the tested material behavior and the S-S curve.

Dynamic testing
Fatigue and
endurance testing
Observations of For the tensile testing of composite materials such as
fracture behavior CFRP, it is important to firmly grasp the sample,
without twisting it. Hydraulic parallel tightening grips
Static testing Impact testing
are ideal for tensile testing, as they firmly grasp the
samples completely straight and without slippage.

Testing and Evaluation Equipment
for the Aerospace Industry
Solutions for Aerospace Testing 5