Seminar Series - 1999-2000

Composite Materials in Aerospace Structures:  A Lesson in Technology Introduction

Paul A. Lagace
Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Director of Technology Laboratory for Advanced Composites
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
 
Sponsored by the UNL Research Council and the Dept. of Engineering Mechanics

Date:  Monday, March 6, 2000
Time:  3:30 p.m.
Place:  W131 Nebraska Hall


Advanced composite materials were introduced in the late 1950's and 1960's with a big promise to revolutionize the structural aspects of aeronautical and astronautical systems. The driving factors of such systems in that time period made property per structural weight a key factor to consider and the new composites involving boron, graphite, and kevlar fibers were sold as outperforming metal alloys based on this figure of merit. Predictions were made that aircraft and spacecraft of the future would see 100% of their structure made from these composite materials with a resultant 40% to 50% savings in structural weight. This, combined with other promises and predictions, led a gearing up of an industry to meet the expected demands. The reality today, however, is that the use of composite materials in aerospace structures has fallen far short of any of these predictions. The latest commercial aircraft have no more than 15% composite material by structural weight. The only current aircraft approaching 50% application by structural weight are helicopters. In fact, it is not the aerospace industry but the sporting goods market where the greatest use of composite materials is seen today.

The reasons as to why we have arrived at where we are in the application of composite materials today is explored, specifically in the context of the promises made over thirty years ago.  The history of the evolution of the technology, initial uses, external influences, and the responses of the various industries involved tell us much about what one should and should not do in regard to new technologies.  In particular, it is essential to always take a systems approach and ask what overall factors are likely to influence the applicability of the technology as time passes.  Furthermore, issues of push versus pull and achieving the right balance are noted to be key.  These and other items are discussed.


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