Neha Joshi
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
Lightweight aircraft structures are critical for improving fuel efficiency, payload capacity, and overall performance. The adoption of composite materials such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP), glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP), and aramid fibers has revolutionized aerospace engineering by offering superior strength-to-weight ratios compared to traditional metallic materials. This manuscript presents a comprehensive design and material analysis of lightweight aircraft structures utilizing composite materials. The study includes a critical review of composite material properties, design considerations, manufacturing methods, and structural performance assessment. Experimental and simulation-based analysis techniques are discussed. Statistical analysis comparing key mechanical properties of composite materials versus conventional alloys is provided to highlight benefits and limitations. The findings demonstrate that composite materials significantly reduce structural weight while maintaining required mechanical integrity, thus underscoring their importance in next-generation aircraft design.
Keywords
Lightweight aircraft, composite materials, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, material analysis, structural design, aerospace engineering
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