There is no issues with composite materials that cannot be handled using normal maintenance procedures. Think of deteriorating composites as the "rust of plastics".
IBTZ!
Posted on 07/12/2007 9:18:46 PM PDT by jdlaughead
The British Comet was the first passanger jet aircraft. The trouble was it had a dangerous end. Five of them blew apart in the air, due to defective engineering. The windows were square, instead of oval, as they are to day. The weak point in a square window is the corners, which gave out, due to pressuration of the aircraft at high altitude.
Composite Aircraft, was developed, by a member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Ken Rand, the first plane was called the KR-1. The big problem with composite material, is it can deteriate, after long exposure to UV rays. Also there is a big problem with Freeze-thaw effect, that is why I question the wings. They have to paint these aircraft with special Paint, and the more flex of the wings the paint cracks, then UV rays deteriate the composite material. The question is what will be the life of the wings? I just don't want to see another disaster like the Comet! Jim Laughead EAA# 79769
There is no issues with composite materials that cannot be handled using normal maintenance procedures. Think of deteriorating composites as the "rust of plastics".
IBTZ!
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