Short notice given only substantially as follows: Approximately 30% of the world's fleet of commercial aircraft is more than 15 years old presenting operators with significant repair and maintenance challenges. At the same time, the introduction of new composite materials into the primary structures of the latest generation aeroplanes has created the need to develop new technologies for repair. The IAPETUS project, within the European Union 7th Framework Programme, sets out to tackle these challenges. Lead by Tecnalia, the focus of lAPETUS is the development of new technology for repairing aircraft by means of composite patches that can be applied to both aluminium and to the new generation composite materials. The goal is to extend the life of the aircraft, increase their reliability and reduce the costs of repairs. The project is working on the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in both the matrix of the composite material as well as the adhesive. This is expected to improve the tenacity of the repair and the fatigue performance of the composite. It is also anticipated that the CNTs will give the necessary electrical conductivity to the join between the damaged component and the patch to achieve a uniform hardening of the polymer matrix through heating by induction or electrical resistance. In addition, this conductivity will enable a sensor functionality to the repair patch for in-service faults to be detected.
Patch to extend aircraft life. EU funded research aimed at developing a new technology for repairing aircraft by means of composite patches
Future Materials - fm ; May ; 28
2009
1 Seite, 1 Quelle
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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