Fiber-reinforced composites have demonstrated the potential for improving the performance of both subsonic and supersonic airbreathing propulsion systems. A wide variety of turbine engine components have been designed, fabricated, and tested. The results have been mixed, with high risk, high payoff, rotating blades demonstrating aerodynamic performance improvements, but being constrained by their lack of ability to withstand Foreign Object Damage; and with static structures such as ducts and frames demonstrating the potential for weight savings, but being constrained by the interface requirements of the metallic structures being replaced. NASA has sussessfully demonstrated the use of composites for a majority of the static structures in a pair of large subsonic high-by-pass-ratio energy efficient turbofan engines. The Air Force has demonstrated the potential for both weight and cost savings on external nozzle flaps for a supersonic turbofan engine and currently is conducting a flight test evaluation of these articles. NASA is pursuing turbofan duct structures for the next generation of engines. Clearly, as we enter the energy conscious 80's, it is time for the composite airplanes on the drawing boards to be designed with composite engines. (Wassmann)
Fiber-reinforced composites: the future for aeropropulsion
Faserverstaerkte Verbundwerkstoffe: Die Zukunft der Flugzeugtriebwerke
AIAA-Papers ; 1-5
1981
5 Seiten, 1 Tabelle
Conference paper
English
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