Plastics Takes Over
Aerospace
Throughout the latter half of
the 20th century and much continuing in the new century, aeronautical
engineering has evolved in leaps and bounds, with plastics assuming a real part
in both practical upgrades and striking advances. Plastics components have been
the smooth and significant development contributors in the world of civil
aviation, military aircrafts and missiles, satellites, space shuttles, and
space exploration.
Try to recollect images of
astronauts standing on the beautiful surface of the moon – the strong and
durable transparent visors embedded in helmets. Both were made of molded plastic, best suited for the job!
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner which
was usually known as the ‘plastic airliner’, has a fuselage that is made
up og a new generation of reinforced
composite plastic panels. Now the usage of plastics in a Boeing gives it the
same kind of benefits that it does give to an ideal combination of strength,
design, flexibility, manufacture ease: all with its light weight.
With World War II, plastics
began to make a noticeable entry into aerospace. Plastics fit the bill because
of its easy availability, ease of design and manufacture and most importantly
the many possible applications of plastics. Vinyl materials began to gain
popularity to be used to line fuel tanks and fliers’ boots. Plastics used
in randomes that cover radars are
transparent to electromagnetic waves. This helped in increasing transmission
and thus significantly developed the nascent radar technical capacity.
Plastic materials are
flexible so much so that it can withstand the helicopter vibrations and at the
same time ensure safety. They can be made transparent for an easy observation,
made shatter resistant and even made to provide ballistic protection. The
remarkable efficiency of plastics was witnessed in the 1970s when the oil
crisis forced the aerospace companies to develop fuel efficient aircrafts.
It is known that the heavier
the vehicle more is its need for fuel to travel a specific distance.
“The weight-to-fuel impact
for jetliners is extreme. A one-pound weight reduction will mean tens and even
hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifetime fuel savings, and plastic
composites in the Boeing 787 reduced the total plane weight by about 20
percent, or thousands of pounds” – plasticsindustry.org
Another advantage of plastics
is that its smooth contour providing capacity makes it an ideal choice for
aerodynamics: saves fuel as well as money. It is also easy to repair plastic
manufactured aircrafts because of its light weight.
Stealth tactics are
indispensable in the military sphere. Few plastics materials can provide
invisibility to the radar, infrared and other mechanisms that spot an unknown
flying object – perfect for stealth operations. The 21st century will see an
upsurge in the usage of plastics. After Boeing, most commercial airliners are
trying to implement the usage of reinforced composite plastics. Defence sector
will keep trying to use plastics for a stronger alternative that makes
aircrafts light and difficult to detect.
For sure, plastics can help
mankind in space, when we eventually get to live there.