A closer look at composites

FEA contributes to design and manufacturing efficiency of complex composite aircraft assemblies.

As aircraft manufacturers across the world look to create vehicles that are stronger, easier to maintain, and lighter- and thus more fuel-efficient-they are increasingly looking to use composite materials.

A 2001 report by the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) set goals to decrease the impact of the aeronautics industry by cutting aircraft fuel consumption 50%, CO₂ emissions 50%, and NOx emissions 80% by 2020. One of the key strategies for achieving these goals is the replacement of current metal components with innovative composite structures, thus creating lighter aircraft with greater fuel efficiency and longer range.