Development of Advanced Materials for Lightweight and Fuel-Efficient Aircraft Structures: A Review

Abstract

The relentless pursuit of fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact in the aviation industry has placed a critical focus on lightweighting aircraft structures. This necessitates the development and implementation of advanced materials boasting exceptional strength-to-weight ratios, superior fatigue resistance, and enhanced damage tolerance. This review delves into the current landscape of material advancements, exploring established players like polymer matrix composites and emerging contenders like metallic foams and bio-composites. Additionally, it sheds light on innovative manufacturing techniques like additive manufacturing and their synergistic relationship with novel materials. The article explores the challenges and opportunities in material selection, design optimization, and certification processes, and concludes by outlining the future directions and potential breakthroughs in this dynamic field.