Aeroplanes to be lighter, stronger

                Scientists have found a new way to make aeroplane frames lighter and more damage-resistant by reinforcing materials using carbon nanotubes – atom-thin rolls of carbon that are incredibly strong. Passenger jets today are made from advanced composite materials such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic-extremely light, durable materials that reduce the weight of the plane by 20% compatred to aluminium-bodies planes.

Lightweight airframes translate directly to fuel savings, which is a major point in advanced composites’ favour. However, composite materials are vulnerable. While aluminium can withstand relatively large impacts before cracking, composites can break apart due to small impacts. Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found a way to bond composite layers in such a way that the resulting material is substantially stronger and more resistant to damage.

They fastened the layers of composite materials together using carbon nanotubes. They embedded tiny “forests” of carbon nanotubes within a glue-like polymer matrix, then pressed the matrix between layers of carbon fibre composites. The team found that, compared with existing composite materials, the stitched composites were 30% stronger, withstanding greater forces before breaking apart.