What parts of CFRP are used in aircraft? Explanation of the reasons and cautions.

The use of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) is rapidly increasing in the aircraft industry.

In modern aircraft, more than 50% of the airframe structural weight is manufactured with CFRP, making it a material that has a significant impact on aircraft performance and design.

This article provides an overview of CFRP utilization in aircraft.

Please read to the end for a summary of CFRP's unique features, such as lightness and excellent corrosion resistance, as well as the issues that need to be addressed in practical applications, such as manufacturing costs and processing technology.

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Areas where CFRP is used in aircraft

There are three areas where CFRP is used in aircraft

parts	use	Features & Benefits
primary structural member	Wing, fuselage, tail	High strength, light weight, and improved load-bearing performance
secondary structural member	Auxiliary wing, directional rudder, elevator rudder, fairing	Lighter weight, better performance, improved fuel efficiency
interior material	Seating, wall and ceiling panels	Lighter weight, greater design freedom, improved comfort

primary structural member

CFRP is used as a primary structural material for aircraft.The primary structural material of an aircraft is the most important structural part that supports the entire fuselage.

Among primary structural materials, CFRP is used in the main wings, fuselage, and tail fins. CFRP has very high strength, so its use as a primary structural material improves load-bearing performance.

While lighter than conventional metals (aluminum, titanium, etc.), they exhibit equal or greater strength, ensuring sufficient durability, especially in areas subjected to load.

secondary structural member

CFRP is also used as a secondary structural material for auxiliary wings, directional and elevating rudders, and fairings.

Secondary structural materials are those parts that complement the overall shape of the fuselage or support internal functions.

Secondary structural members are not subjected to as much direct loading as primary structural members, which helps not only in terms of durability, but especially in reducing the overall weight of the aircraft and improving its overall performance.

This results in improved fuel efficiency and reduced operating costs.

interior material

CFRP is used as an interior material in aircraft for seats, walls, ceiling panels, etc.

The use of CFRP as an interior material, with its high design flexibility, allows for designs that enhance cabin comfort and provide a more comfortable space for passengers.

Another feature is the potential for improved fuel economy due to lighter aircraft interiors.

Thus, CFRP plays an important role not only as a structural material for aircraft but also as an interior material, and it is clear that CFRP is an indispensable material for improving aircraft performance and comfort.

Why CFRP is used in aircraft

CFRP is widely used as a major material in aircraft due to its superior performance. In this chapter, specific reasons why CFRP is used in aircraft will be explained in detail.

• Lightweight
• stability
• corrosion resistance
• Design flexibility

We will explain each of them, so please refer to them.

Lightweight

One of the reasons CFRP is used in aircraft is because of its superior "lightweight" properties.

CFRP is extremely lightweight compared to metal and is said to be about 60% lighter than aluminum alloys.This lightness also improves the fuel efficiency of the aircraft and extends its range.

In fact, he says, the Boeing 787 used CFRP only about 3% of the total airframe, but by expanding the use of CFRP to 50%, the weight of the airframe was reduced by 20%, from about 60 tons to 48 tons.

stability

CFRP is lightweight yet extremely strong, which is another reason why it is used in aircraft.

Carbon fiber, the main component of CFRP, has a very fine fibrous structure, and carbon fiber is said to be 10 times stronger than steel.As a result, it can be expected to improve resistance to external shocks and is used in various parts of aircraft.

Another advantage is that it reduces costs by extending the life of the aircraft.

corrosion resistance

CFRP is also less susceptible to corrosion than metal, which is another reason why it is used in aircraft.

CFRP does not corrode due to water or salt and is resistant to deterioration even in humid environments.As a result, they can be operated safely for a longer period of time than metal.

Another advantage of using CFRP is the expected reduction in operating costs due to less frequent maintenance.

Design flexibility

CFRP is a composite material that combines carbon fiber and resin, and is characterized by a very high degree of freedom in molding.This makes it suitable for manufacturing parts with complex shapes for aircraft.

The use of CFRP allows designers to design free curved surfaces more efficiently.

Points to keep in mind when using CFRP in aircraft

The following four points should be considered when using CFRP in aircraft.

• High price
• Difficult to process
• Limited number of CFRP molding manufacturers
• Difficult to recycle CFRP

High price

Carbon fiber, the material used to make CFRP, is more expensive than metal.Therefore, the price of CFRP is higher.

The high cost of manufacturing is another reason for the high price of CFRP.

Processing CFRP requires expensive specialized equipment and costly storage of materials, resulting in high molding costs.

As demand for carbon fiber continues to rise, there is a move to reduce costs through mass production, but it is unlikely that prices will fall more than for other metals.

Difficult to process

Carbon fiber, the material of CFRP, has different strength and elasticity in different directions, making it difficult to process.

Another factor that makes machining difficult is that carbon fiber itself is very hard and easily worn by cutting tools.

The above characteristics may cause cracking or chipping during processing. Therefore, processing CFRP requires advanced technology.

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Limited number of CFRP molding manufacturers

CFRP can be difficult to process, and molding manufacturers are limited.This creates the problem of not knowing which company to outsource to.

Since there are things that manufacturers can and cannot do, it is important to check each company's website to see what strengths they have.

At Taiga, we offer the best design and manufacturing methods for the production and development of complex shaped parts and new parts.

Difficult to recycle CFRP

It is also important to note that CFRP is difficult to recycle.

The resin used to mold CFRP cannot be reheated and reused because once cured, its molecular structure is chemically fixed.

Metals can be melted down and reused, but resins are difficult to return to their original shape and properties, making recycling time-consuming.

In addition, because carbon fiber and resin are an integrated composite material, a separation process is required for recycling, but this separation process is extremely difficult, which is another factor that makes it difficult to recycle.

Summary

In this article, we have explained the areas where CFRP is used in aircraft, the reasons why CFRP is used in aircraft, and the precautions that must be taken when using CFRP in aircraft.

CFRP is used in various parts of aircraft because of its many performance advantages over metal.

It is lighter and more durable than metal, and is characterized by its resistance to deterioration. It is also characterized by a very high degree of freedom in molding.

On the other hand, it should be noted that there are some disadvantages, such as difficulty in processing and high prices.

Taiga ensures efficient manufacturing

Taiga provides a chat room where all members can converse, real-time editing of 2D drawings, and centralized management of project information.

This streamlines inspection and reduces returns and rework.

If you are considering manufacturing parts utilizing CFRP, please contact us!Taiga."Taiga is a free service that allows you to consult with experienced contractors.

We can efficiently proceed with the development of difficult or new parts, small-lot production, prototyping, and mass production while keeping costs low.

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