Industry Insights

As an important part for the development of science and technology and national economic construction, advanced material is one of the three key technologies in twenty-first century which relate to national security and promote technological progress and economic development. As a creative and pioneering branch in the field of materials science, aeronautical material with its preparation technology is one of the three key technologies of aviation industry as well as the material basis of aviation modernization and high-tech development. As the forerunner of aviation technology and the core key of advanced aircrafts and aero engines, aeronautical materials is the basic factor of aviation product technical performance, survivability, prolong life and economic affordability. The development and application of aeronautical materials also reflect a country’s comprehensive strength and level of technological development.

In the process of aviation manufacturing development, the replacement of materials shows a fast change speed; what’s more, materials and aircraft have been continuously developing with mutual promotion. "A generation of materials, generation of aircraft" is a true portrayal of the world aviation history.

In the past 20 years, aeronautical materials have made significant development. Active aircraft airframe dominates by aluminum alloy materials. Compared with decreased steel, the amount of titanium alloy has been significantly increased, besides, resin matrix composites has been fully applied on the bearing parts. In the aspect of interior materials, in order to improve the aircraft fuel efficiency, reduce operating costs and enhance cabin comfortable experience, composite interior materials demand in the proportion of each delivery of the passenger plane will greatly improve. Composite materials has a bright future in the manufacture of aircraft interior due to a combination of low flammability, light weight, high strength, durability and appearance characteristics. By 2022, the civil aircraft cabin interior materials by use of carbon fiber composite materials will have reached parity with glass fiber composite materials.