Aviation Industry Thermoset Composites

Aviation Industry

The aviation industry focuses on manufacturing, designing, repairing, and operating aircraft. This industry comprises four markets — aviation institutions, the aircraft industry, airports, and airlines. Typically, companies in the industry focus on operating and maintaining aircraft or designing and constructing aircraft for commercial or military use.

Today’s aircraft require durable, lightweight materials and parts, which can be produced through thermoset composites. Atlas Fibre has the most extensive inventory of in-stock aviation composites. We can also work with you to fabricate materials. As a vertically integrated company, our team will be with you through each process step, providing as much or as little support as you need.

What Composites Are Used in Aviation?

Thermoset composites form many of the parts used in aircraft, including:

Braking systems
Window frames
Floor and wall structures
Instrument enclosures
Seats
Wing assemblies
Ring seals
Nozzles

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Benefits of Composites in the Aircraft Industry

Thermoset composites offer the strength of metal at a lower weight, increasing aircraft efficiency and performance. Some benefits of using composites in aircraft are:

Reduced weight: Compared to metal alloys, thermoset composites are lightweight. Replacing metal components with thermoset composites increases an aircraft’s fuel efficiency, helping lower airline costs, as the airlines spend less on fuel.
Increased strength: Thermoset composites have a high strength-to-weight ratio. This characteristic makes them ideal for structural components, such as luggage bins or instrumentation panel backings.
Thermal and electrical insulation: Thermoset composites resist heat and don’t conduct electricity. They are ideal for use in braking systems, as they isolate the disks from heat. They also provide electrical insulation for airplanes.

Corrosion resistance: Thermoset composite materials don’t corrode, allowing them to withstand challenging conditions. Corrosion resistance also means increased longevity.
Temperature tolerance: Aircraft are exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures. They must be made of materials that can withstand extreme fluctuations in temperature or prolonged exposure to freezing or extremely hot temperatures.
Design flexibility: Thermoset composites provide aircraft companies with design flexibility. Choosing the right material for your aircraft trims your costs and extends the life of the parts.

Atlas Fibre has decades of experience in machining thermosets and thermoplastics, so we’re uniquely qualified to fabricate or machine components for aviation companies. We’ll help you choose the right material for the best wear and corrosion resistance.

Composite Aircraft Manufacturing Process: Custom and In-Stock Materials

With the largest selection of in-stock materials available in North America, Atlas Fibre is the primary supplier of thermoset composites to the aviation industry. We stock more than $8 million worth of inventory in our 120,000-square-foot warehouse and partner with facilities that have an additional $4,000,000 worth of raw materials.

Our stock material supply includes sheets, tubes, rods, and precision blanks. Our thermoset materials include glass epoxy, glass silicone, and phenolic.

As a resource center for the aviation industry, we work with you to create custom-fabricated components. We’ll help you choose the right material and can offer various value-added services beyond finished parts.