Composite Materials

The main reason for utilising composite materials in aerospace structures is to reduce weight, which has a direct benefit in lowering operating costs. Composites also provide further benefits in their ability to be easily formed, comparatively lower production costs, resistance to corrosion and reduced maintenance costs.

The principal types of composite materials are those involving fibrous elements, which may be used as strands or be woven into fine ‘tapes’ and ‘cloths’ (or coarser ‘mats’), held in a suitable resin matrix and formed into the required shapes.