A400 Composite Report
ENG B 110 Materials Engineering
A Case Study into the Application of Composite Technology – A400M Wing Spars
Candidate ID: 499751
November 2014
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Airbus A400M Atlas 3
CFRP Structure and Properties 5
Structure – CFRP 5
Properties – CFRP 6
Processing Method 7
Processing Method – Spars 8
Prepreg 8
Automated Tape Laying 8
Autoclave Processing 8
CFRP vs Aluminium Alloys 9
Advantages – Comparison of CFRP vs Aluminium 9
Disadvantages of CFRP 9
Failure of Composites 10
Future Materials and Opportunities 10
Conclusion 11
References 12
Introduction to the Airbus A400M Atlas
The Airbus A400M Atlas is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft designed for military use. Its role is as strategic/tactical airlift aircraft and will replace the ageing Hercules C130 aircraft. The Royal Air Force (RAF) has ordered 22 aircraft from Airbus, with the first being delivered to RAF Brize Norton in the autumn of 2014
The A400M uses more than 30% composite materials in a bid to reduce the aircraft weight, increases fuel efficiency and extend the service range of the aircraft. The A400M is too many a pioneering aircraft in the increase use of composite technology and my focus will be on the wings and how Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) are utilised through the design and manufacturing of this assembly.
The wings are one of the most complex parts of the aircraft, having been constrained to produce a wing that weighs “6500 kg/14,330 lb, but can contain and carry aloft as much as 25,000 kg/55,116 lb of fuel” (Compositesworld.com, 2014), the use of CFRP has been vital in ensuring that the wings meet this requirement.
General Characteristics (Militaryaircraft-airbusds.com, 2014):
Overall Length 45.1 m
Overall Height 14.7 m
Wingspan 42.4 m
Maximum Take Off Weight 141,000 kg
Maximum Payload 37,000 kg
Engine x4 (TP400-D6) 11,000 SHP
Figure 1 – A400M in Flight (RAF, 2014)
The main reason behind composites being used instead of
A Case Study into the Application of Composite Technology – A400M Wing Spars
Candidate ID: 499751
November 2014
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Airbus A400M Atlas 3
CFRP Structure and Properties 5
Structure – CFRP 5
Properties – CFRP 6
Processing Method 7
Processing Method – Spars 8
Prepreg 8
Automated Tape Laying 8
Autoclave Processing 8
CFRP vs Aluminium Alloys 9
Advantages – Comparison of CFRP vs Aluminium 9
Disadvantages of CFRP 9
Failure of Composites 10
Future Materials and Opportunities 10
Conclusion 11
References 12
Introduction to the Airbus A400M Atlas
The Airbus A400M Atlas is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft designed for military use. Its role is as strategic/tactical airlift aircraft and will replace the ageing Hercules C130 aircraft. The Royal Air Force (RAF) has ordered 22 aircraft from Airbus, with the first being delivered to RAF Brize Norton in the autumn of 2014
The A400M uses more than 30% composite materials in a bid to reduce the aircraft weight, increases fuel efficiency and extend the service range of the aircraft. The A400M is too many a pioneering aircraft in the increase use of composite technology and my focus will be on the wings and how Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) are utilised through the design and manufacturing of this assembly.
The wings are one of the most complex parts of the aircraft, having been constrained to produce a wing that weighs “6500 kg/14,330 lb, but can contain and carry aloft as much as 25,000 kg/55,116 lb of fuel” (Compositesworld.com, 2014), the use of CFRP has been vital in ensuring that the wings meet this requirement.
General Characteristics (Militaryaircraft-airbusds.com, 2014):
Overall Length 45.1 m
Overall Height 14.7 m
Wingspan 42.4 m
Maximum Take Off Weight 141,000 kg
Maximum Payload 37,000 kg
Engine x4 (TP400-D6) 11,000 SHP
Figure 1 – A400M in Flight (RAF, 2014)
The main reason behind composites being used instead of
References: Word Count: Compositesworld.com, (2014) Militaryaircraft-airbusds.com, (2014). Military Aircraft Airbus DS | A400M. [Online] Available at: http://militaryaircraft-airbusds.com/Aircraft/A400M/A400MSpec.aspx [Accessed 25 Oct. 2014]. Iata.org, (2014). IATA - Operational Fuel Efficiency. [Online] Available at: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/ops-infra/Pages/fuel-efficiency.aspx [Accessed 25 Oct. 2014]. Hexcel Corp., Aerostrategy, (2014). Aircraft Composite Content Over Time. [Image] Available at: http://unsilentgeneration.net/tag/af-447/ [Accessed 27 Oct. 2014]. Airbus, (2014). Airbus Wing Box Structure - Primary. [Image] Available at: http://www.airbusgroup.com/dam/assets/airbusgroup/int/en/investor-relations/documents/2008/presentations/GIF2008/gif2008_workshop_composites_hellard.pdf. [Accessed 27 Oct. 2014]. Compositesworld.com, (2014). A350 & A400M Wing Spars: A Study in Contrasts. [Online] Available at: http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/a350-a400m-wing-spars-a-study-in-contrasts [Accessed 28 Oct. 2014]. FAA.gov, (2014). Aircraft Structures. [Online] Available at: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/amt_airframe_handbook/media/ama_ch01.pdf [Accessed 28 Oct. 2014]. Higgins, R. (2010). Materials for Engineers and Technicians. 5th ed. Oxford: Newnes, p 325 GKN.com, (2014) RAF, (2014). A400M in Flight. [Image] Available at: http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/atlas.cfm [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014]. GKN.com, (2014). Automated Fibre Placement (AFP). [Online] Available at: http://www.gkn.com/aerospace/products-and-capabilities/capabilities/composite/Automated%20fibre%20placement/Pages/default.aspx [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014].