MATERIALS - GENERAL INFORMATION
The most important characteristics of the materials used to build the
fuselage are the following:
FIBERGLASS
• high ratio of surface area to weight
• in contrast to carbon fiber, the glass inside the fiber can undergo more
elongation or stretch ratio
• moisture is easily absorbed. This process can rapidly deteriorate
microscopic cracks (if existing) and increase surface defects that can
reduce the tenacity of the fiberglass
KEVLAR
• light, strong synthetic fiber related to other aramids fibre such as
NOMEX and TECHNORA
• five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis
• the ultraviolet (UV) component of the light degrades and decomposes
Kevlar
CARBON FIBER
• highest compressive strength of all the reinforcing materials
• high strength to weight ratio and low coefficient of thermal expansion
TITANIUM
• high tensile strength to density ratio
• high corrosion resistance
• high temperatures resistance without creeping
ALUMINIUM
• good strength and durability
• aluminium alloys have no well-defined fatigue limit (meaning that
fatigue failure will eventually occur under even very small cycle
loadings)
• aluminium alloys will melt without first glowing red
• sensitivity to heat