L.J. Hornstra, P.A.M. Vergouwen

Composite materials are widely used in the aerospace industry. Still, the application of composites within a single loadpath primary structure, such as the aircraft landing gear system, is far from common. Since new composites and new manufacturing techniques are being developed, showing improved characteristics and offering better design potentialities, it is worthwhile to investigate this particular application. The paper presents part of the progress in the development of advanced landing gear components using composite materials. Several technology programs are being carried out by SP aerospace and vehicle systems, in co-operation with Dutch and US partners. With the emphasis on specific design drivers, different applications of composites in typical landing gear parts are developed: -) a carbon/aramid epoxy crash tube for energy absorption, -) a carbon epoxy torque link and trailing arm, utilising the over-braiding pre-form technique and the RTM process, -)two carbon epoxy drag brace variants, utilising the RTM and the prepreg/autoclave process, -)a silicon-carbide titanium drag brace, making use of the diffusion bonding process. Some phases of those programs are still in progress. Yet it can be concluded, that the latest improvements in material properties and manufacturing techniques have demonstrated that composites can be applied in future landing gear systems, offering relevant advantages in weight and cost.

19th European Conference on Materials for Aerospace Applications, Munich, Germany, 2000

Book Chapter

englisch

14,8 x 21,0 cm, 11 Seiten

DGLR-Bericht, 2001, 2001-02, Advanced Aerospace Materials - Proceedings 2000 ; S.89-99; 2001; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V., Bonn

NA

composite materials, structural design, aeronautics

Bibliothek

2001