Composites are, besides aluminium, the most important materials for aerospace applications. Particularly, the introduction of carbon fibre reinforced polymeric resin (CFRPs) subsequently opened a door into composite research and innovation, which theoretically promised further weight savings with a wide range of physical properties and an ability to tailor the materials for specific purposes. Although composites provide a great deal of advantages and enhanced characteristics which have driven improvements to their structural and aesthetic applications, there still lie major disadvantages and drawbacks in the recycling of these life limited materials as well as the ecological harm in utilising the petroleum-based resins. Hence, the purpose of this research is to fabricate bio-based composite material for aircraft interior panels and non-load bearing structures which can be fully biodegraded at the end of its service life, and further will work towards reducing the waste production of the composite material industry.
There are a number of naturally available fibres and bio-based biodegradable composites. Hence, using these bio-based fibres will yield to a 100% recyclable composite. Since the aerospace industry is huge, making of internal panels using these biodegradable composites will be of huge interest. This not only helps in energy saving but also reduce considerable the carbon emission. Hence it is not only a national interest but also global interest.
The purpose of this research is to fabricate bio-based composite material for aircraft interior panels and non-load bearing structures which can be fully biodegraded at the end of its service life, which will work towards reducing the waste production of the composite material industry.
Although composites provide a great deal of advantages and enhanced characteristics which have driven improvements to their structural and aesthetic applications, there still lie major disadvantages and drawbacks in the recycling of these life limited materials as well as the ecological harm in utilising the petroleum-based resins.
Vision and Ambition
The purpose of this research is to fabricate bio-based composite material for aircraft interior panels and non-load bearing structures which can be fully biodegraded at the end of its service life, which will work towards reducing the waste production of the composite material industry.
Research Programme and Methodology
In this study, in-depth research will be carried out on natural fibre reinforced composites (NFRCs). The product of this research resulted in the fabrication of a bio-based biodegradable composite. Furthermore, the feasibility of utilising the bio-based biodegradable composites in the internal panels of the aircraft structures will be studied.
Aims and Objectives
(i) The main objective of this research project is to fabricate bio-based biodegradable composites for non-load bearing interior panels for aircraft structures.
(ii) The choice of the fibre reinforcement and the bio-based biodegradable matrix is the first key objective for the progression of the project for the enhancement of the mechanical properties of the CMCs. This leads to focused research on different bio-based matrices that were coupled with natural fibres in order to produce biodegradable composite materials, the matrices were then analysed with respect to their performance, biodegradability, price, and ease of procurement.
(iii) Optimisation of the rheological behaviour of the composition is necessary.
(iv) Employing suitable fabrication method is another key objective.
(v) In order to decide on whether or not the material would be suitable for aerospace applications, it had to successfully withstand the maximum load requirements set by the regulatory authorities such as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), so evaluating the mechanical properties of the composites is another task.
(vi) A prototype model will be made using 3D printing technology.
(vii) Predicting the lifetime analysis of the composite structure.
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