Category: Uncategorized
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Space shuttle structures
The space shuttle is a complex system consisting of an external fuel tank, two solid rocket boosters and the Space Transportation System (STS) orbiter vehicle. In this section, we only examine the structure and materials of the orbiter. The orbiter resembles a conventional aircraft with double-delta wings, and uses many of the same materials. The…
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Helicopter structures
Figure 3.10 shows the main sections and internal structure for a typical modern helicopter. The main body (or airframe) of the helicopter is most heavily loaded at two points: the connection to the tail boom and the connection to the main rotor drive shaft or turbine engine. The tail boom applies torsion and bending loads to the…
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Fixed-wing aircraft structures
Figure 3.2 shows the main structural components in a modern military aircraft, which are the fuselage, wings, empennage, landing gear and control surfaces such as flaps, elevators and ailerons. Aircraft structures must be lightweight and structurally efficient, and this is achieved by the combination of optimised design and high-performance materials. Many major aircraft sections, including the fuselage,…
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Introduction
It is not possible to fully understand the topic of aerospace materials without also understanding the aerospace structures in which they are used. The choice of aerospace materials is governed by the design, function, loads and environmental service conditions of the structure. Understanding aircraft structures allows aerospace engineers to select the most appropriate material. The…
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Future advances in aerospace materials
The future success of the aerospace industry both in terms of the cost-effective manufacture of new aircraft and the cost-effective extension of the operating life of existing aircraft is reliant on on-going improvements to existing materials and the development of new materials. Advances in materials technology is classified as evolutionary or revolutionary. Evolutionary advances mean…
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Materials for the global aerospace industry
On-going advances in materials technology are essential to the success of the aerospace industry in the design, construction and in-service operation of aircraft. The aerospace industry is broadly defined as an industry network that designs, builds and provides in-service support to aircraft, helicopters, guided missiles, space vehicles, aircraft engines, and related parts. The industry includes…
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Brief history of aerospace materials
Wood The era of aerospace materials arguably started with the first powered flight of Kitty Hawk by Orville and Wilbur Wright. The principal criterion used in the selection of materials for the first generation of aircraft (1903–1930) was maximum strength for minimum weight. Every other consideration in materials selection, including stiffness, toughness and durability, were secondary compared…
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Introduction
The development of new materials and better utilisation of existing materials has been central to the advancement of aerospace engineering. Advances in the structural performance, safety, fuel economy, speed, range and operating life of aircraft has been reliant on improvements to the airframe and engine materials. Aircraft materials have changed greatly in terms of mechanical…