Composites

Composite challenges for the Airbus A320’s successor

Airbus is looking very closely at thermoplastic composite developments, the benefits of thin ply technology and the potential of additive manufacturing.

Utilised extensively in the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft family, carbon-fibre reinforced plastic is lighter than aluminium, stronger than iron, and more corrosion-resistant than both. Here, a component is fed through a high tech loom that braids the carbon fibres into place. © Wolfram Schroll

13th October 2017

Innovation in Textiles
| Munich

Transport/Aerospace

As of the end of September, a total of 7,771 Airbus A320-family aircraft have been delivered, of which 7,434 are in service. In addition, another 5,520 airliners are on order – overall Airbus has a 7,000 aircraft backlog. As such, the A320 ranks as the world’s fastest-selling jet airliner family and as the best-selling ever single-generation aircraft programme.

The burning question is – will composites feature as extensively on its successor as they have done in later Airbus planes such as the A350 XWB?

Read the full article on our Inside Composites website

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