Aluminium components in aging military aircraft commonly suffer from several types of degradation including corrosion, cracking and, in adhesively bonded structures, disbonding. One option when support costs become excessive or replacements are unavailable is to substitute the existing component with one made from a more durable material, possibly in a more robust configuration. This paper describes an affordable approach to substitute metallic honeycomb panels with more durable stiffened graphite/epoxy composite panels. Although the technology is generic, it is being demonstrated on a honeycomb panel for the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) F-111 aircraft. This panel was selected with the aim of validating the design, manufacture and certification approaches. Future work will focus on airworthiness certification, operational testing, addressing service related issues, and composite substitution of other types of metallic components.
An affordable methodology for replacing metallic aircraft panels with advanced composites
Eine erschwingliche Methode für den Ersatz metallischer Flugzeugbauteile durch moderne Verbundwerkstoffe
Composites, Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing ; 33A , 5 ; 687-696
2002
10 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 9 Quellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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