The in-service flight testing of some carbon fibre-reinforced plastic components

Abstract

The effects of ‘in-service’ operating conditions on the physical properties of some carbon fibre-reinforced composite materials have been assessed by flight testing carbon fibre-reinforced plastic airframe components for periods of up to five years and 10 590 flying hours. These components were elements of an aircraft's external skin and were fabricated using unidirectional and cross-plied configurations. Single skin and ‘honeycomb sandwich’ constructions were employed. Test parameters monitored, using laboratory control components, included interlaminar shear strength, flexural and tensile properties. Little or no appreciable deterioration of these properties was exhibited.