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Introduction
This lecture is dedicated to the use of composites. The use of composites is almost ubiquitous! The use of composites is an inexhaustive list. In the following we cite some important applications.
What are the applications of the composite materials?
The applications of the composites are given in the following as per the area of application.
Aerospace:
- Aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, space telescopes, space shuttle, space station, missiles, boosters rockets, helicopters (due to high specific strength and stiffness) fatigue life, dimensional stability.
- All composite voyager aircraft flew nonstop around the world with refueling.
- Carbon/carbon composite is used on the leading edges nose cone of the shuttle.
- B2 bomber - both fiber glass and graphite fibers are used with epoxy matrix and polyimide matrix.
- The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA - Tejas) has Kevlar composite in nose cone, Glass composites in tail fin and carbon composites form almost all part of the fuselage and wings, except the control surfaces of the wing.
- Further, the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH – Dhruvh) has carbon composites for its main rotor blades. The other composites are used in tail rotor, vertical fin, stabilizer, cowling, radome, doors, cockpit, side shells, etc.
Missile:
- Rocket motor cases
- Nozzles
- Igniter
- Inter stage structure
- Equipment section
- Aerodynamic fairings
Launch Vehicle:
- Rocket motor case
- Interstage structure
- Payload fairings and dispensers
- High temperature Nozzle
- Nose cone
- Control surfaces
Composite Railway Carrier:
- Composite railway auto carrier
- Bodies of Railway Bogeys
- Seats
- Driver’s Cabin
- Stabilization of Ballasted Rail Tracks
- Doors
- Sleepers for Railway Girder Bridges
- Gear Case
- Pantographs
Sports Equipments
- Tennis rockets, golf clubs, base-ball bats, helmets, skis, hockey sticks, fishing rods, boat hulls, wind surfing boards, water skis, sails, canoes and racing shells, paddles, yachting rope, speed boat, scuba diving tanks, race cars reduced weight, maintenance, corrosion resistance.
Automotive
- Lower weight and greater durability, corrosion resistance, fatigue life, wear and impact resistance.
- Drive shafts, fan blades and shrouds, springs, bumpers, interior panels, tires, brake shoes, clutch plates, gaskets, hoses, belts and engine parts.
- Carbon and glass fiber composites pultruted over on aluminum cylinder to create drive shaft.
- Fuel saving –braking energy can be stored in to a carbon fiber super flywheels.
- Other applications include: mirror housings, radiator end caps, air filter housing, accelerating pedals, rear view mirrors, head-lamp housings, and intake manifolds, fuel tanks.
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