Theoretical Review of Composite Materials in Fighter Aircraft

Composite material emerged a huge demand in the field of aerospace widely, from the mid of twentieth century. In the study, it has been observed that extensive use of composite material is found in Eurofighter aircrafts. In this paper, the study of four different types of composites that are widely used in fighter aircrafts were described. These are Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), Glass FIbre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), Aramid Fibre Reinforced Polymer (AFRP), and Al-SiC Metal Matrix Composites. The Characteristics, Property, environmental resistance and implementation for fighter aircraft were also discussed. From the point of material interaction with environment such as flammability, problem and risk in freshwater, and influence with saltwater, sunlight and wear resistance are investigated. Comparative studies of four types of composites are discussed to understand the relationship among the materials. Further, challenges involved in composite material are also discussed in this paper. For each composite material, a brief outline about fabrication process and ways to reduce manufacturing cost.