Sustainable Materials In Aircraft Construction: A Viable Alternative To Aluminium?

Abstract

This paper explores the viability of sustainable materials as alternatives to traditional metals like aluminium in aircraft manufacturing. Aluminium, widely used due to its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties, poses significant environmental and structural challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions and susceptibility to thermal expansion. Composite materials, such as bio-based composites and natural-fiber reinforced composites, offer promising solutions by reducing weight, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, while also being more cost-effective. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner serves as a case study, demonstrating how composite materials can enhance flight efficiency and sustainability. Although composites present challenges such as damage detection, thermal sensitivity, and manufacturing complexity, ongoing innovations are addressing these limitations. The paper concludes that sustainable composites have the potential to transform aviation, offering a greener, more efficient future.