Future materials
A new generation of advanced aerospace concepts
Researching cutting-edge new materials
EXCITING POSSIBILITIES
Over recent decades, the aerospace industry has developed a range of materials to support novel concepts and product platforms. The materials behind future advanced concepts must be more durable, lightweight and cost-efficient than ever before. They range from metals, ceramics and coatings to composites.
Airbus is exploring the potential of these materials with a focus on sustainability, circularity and digitalisation. Improvements for the next generation of aircraft are likely to originate in improved sourcing and circularity to counter resource scarcity; and less energy-intensive production methods.
Sustainability
Minimising resource use and optimising the disposal of materials can help mitigate a product’s carbon footprint across its lifecycle. This improves its overall environmental impact.
When possible, materials should be bio-sourced, REACH* compatible and respect guidelines for the sourcing of critical raw materials. Material circularity is important for composites, thermoplastics and aluminium in particular.
*Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (European Union regulation)
Digitising the materials domain brings major benefits
Adaptability: In a fast-changing world, adaptability depends on access to data to adjust product design in the face of new regulations, materials shortages or geopolitical uncertainty.
Ways of working: A leaner, connected organisation presents a competitive advantage. Data continuity results in high quality parts and full materials tracking, traceability and conformity.
Digital twins: These virtual carbon-copies of our products evolve with the aircraft. They are dynamic, responsive and interactive, and essential at every stage of the product lifecycle from procurement to operation.
Powerhouse computing: Quantum has the potential to model materials behaviour at the molecular level. For example, it is capable of modelling corrosion inhibition processes. This in turn will enable us to accurately design coatings that stand surface degradation to a far greater extent.
Research areas
Natural fibres
Natural fibres can be obtained from plants and minerals. Lightweight and high-strength, they have a variety of applications including secondary, non-critical aircraft structures.
Biomass carbon fibre
These fibres are created by carbonising precursors obtained from biomass derived from raw materials. Their use in bio-composites could result in composite materials that provide a viable alternative to carbon fibres obtained from oil-based precursors. Research areas include algae.
Bio-sourced resins
These resins derive some or all of their constituent monomers from biological sources, for example sugarcane or lignin. Their use could provide an alternative to phenolics (a class of resin) in aircraft. Research areas include furan, epoxy and polyamide.
Thermoplastics
Our research areas
Thermoplastic polymers present a weight advantage over carbon composites, which are used to build major aircraft components. They are easier to recycle and repurpose, their production is less energy-intensive than carbon fibre composites and they enable fuselage sections to be assembled using novel methods.
To explore thermoplastics' potential, Airbus participated in the development of the Multi-Functional Fuselage Demonstrator (MFFD) consortium as part of the EU’s Clean Sky 2 programme. A secondary goal of the MFFD was to investigate enablers of thermoplastic composite fuselage barrel production at a rate of between 60 and 100 aircraft per month.
Our research areas
End of life and circularity
Airbus is adopting innovative techniques to recycle materials from our industrial production and at aircraft end-of-life.
Raw material management
It is organised along three axes: material inflow (materials used to manufacture aircraft), material reuse (reusing production waste) and material outflow (end-of-life management).
Composites
Composite recycling is challenging. At Airbus, we are researching how carbon fibres can be separated from resin for reuse.
The latest in future materials
In the spotlight
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Stories InnovationFantastic thermoplastics
It's a world-first. A thermoplastic fuselage demonstrator, assembled by an Airbus-led, EU-funded consortium, is helping experts to study disruptive materials and manufacturing methods. Their aim is… -
Stories InnovationDeveloping bio-based composites that are fit to fly
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Press releases InnovationQuick News - April 2020
- Press releases Company
Airbus to produce 3D-printed hospital visors in fight against Covid-19
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Airbus NOVA Newsletter
Your go-to source for the latest stories on disruptive technologies and ground-breaking aerospace projects that will transform the way we fly.
