COMPOSITES VS. ALUMINUM AS A STRUCTURAL MATERIAL FOR AIRCRAFT

Composites are currently being used as an alternative structural material for building aircraft. Composites reduce weight while still providing a safe and strong material. Many different materials can be combined to form a composite material. The process of making a composite structural material varies in assembly facilities. Composites have distinct advantages and disadvantages as being a new structural material. A more common structural material is aluminum. It, like composites, has precise advantages and disadvantages. The two alternative structural materials are very common among design plans of large commercial plane production companies. After comparison between the two materials, composites appear to be the best structural material that provide advantages to both the aircraft company and the pilot.