Aviation Design and Materials - Research Proposal Example

VIАTIОN DЕSIGN АND МАTЕRIАLS Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Date Abstract Aviation industry has taken many shapes to culminate in the current one today. The introduction of powered and controlled airplanes allowed usage of metallic materials in making the skin. However, further developments in the same industry have warranted unforeseen changes such as usage of composites in skin making which is advantageous over metallic. The design has also taken a new shape to cater for the demand and changes taking place in the industry. Introduction According to Wright (2012, p.78), Aviation refers to the practice of development, design, operation and the production of aircraft for civil and military purpose. Also (Callister & Rethwisch (2007), asserts that it is the practical aspects of the aeronautics that involves designing, development of the aircrafts that are mainly heavier than the regular planes. It will require design and manufacture of the naval aircrafts that are strong and versatile for the purpose of war. Traditionally aircrafts were applicable used in war and therefore the engineers used strong materials to create aircrafts that will withstand pressure and attacks. The modern aviation started with early beginnings where human beings used the hot air balloons designed by the Montgolfier brothers. The balloons had great limitations because they could only downward creating a great limitation in that venture. The inventors realized that they needed steerable balloons coming up with the dirigible balloon. Jean-Pierre Blanchard came up with the first powered dirigible that facilitated crossing of the English Channel in 1785.Subsequent developments took place-utilized materials and design that facilitated the formation of aircrafts that were lighter than the air (Callister & Rethwisch, 2007). The traditional design and materials focused on balancing the relationship between the density of materials and that of the air. The materials in use must have a lower density than that of the air and that’s why they encouraged usage of materials lighter than the air. For example, the hot air balloon used hydrogen that has a lower density compared to the normal air. Therefore, the relationship between materials, design and aim of traditional aircraft industry was to make materials that had a lower density compared to that of the air facilitating smooth movement of the plane in the air (Callister & Rethwisch, 2007, p.67). Literature Review The most successful Zeppelin was the Graf Zeppelin because it flew over one million miles using materials that had lower density compared to the air. The Zeppelin took flight around the world in 1929 making it an ideal sample that would be applicable in the aviation industry in the later years. The Zeppelin was popular than the airplane although the plane took over through a series of advancements. The advancements ensured that better design and materials were put in place to ensure clarity and efficient of the airplane. The plane heavily used aluminum metal in making the space ship because it has lower density hence making the entire movement in the space possible and easy. The golden age that involved extensive usage of the airships ended in1937 after the airship known as Hindenburg caught fire and killed thirty-six people. The ultimate cause of the accident was an extensive usage of hydrogen instead of helium as the lifting gas. In addition, the investigations by the manufacturers revealed that coating materials used in the aircraft was highly flammable hence discouraging usage of flammable materials because they caught fire with ease and facilitated formation of the electrostatic energy in the airship increasing the susceptibility of the airship to catch fire. The Airship should consist of materials that are less flammable and that which will not allow electrostatic energy to keep on transmitting now and then. Continuous usage of the energy would ultimately translate to frequent accidents hence making it difficult for the aviation industry to expand and develop (Gay, 2014, p.90). Further developments led to the development of airplanes that had materials with higher density than that of air. For example in 1799, a renowned aeronautical engineer by the name Sir George Cavely managed to set forth the broad concepts of the modern airplane through using the fixed-wing flying machines that had separate system for propulsion as well as control. The early dirigible developments involved the machine that had powered propulsion as well as the rigid frames that facilitated creation of gadgets that high maneuverability as well as speed. The heavier than air flight has various competitions and the most credible invention took place in 1890 on October 9 when Clement Ader made an aircraft that ability to scale 160 feet above the ground and it was self-propelled. Seven years later, Ader’s Avion iii went through successful tests without subtle success in the presence of the French officials creating an opportunity for further loopholes. The reports detailing the testing were not public until 1910 because that was particularly a military secret. In November 1906, Ader went ahead and claimed to have series of successful flights on 14 October 1897 and later unwarranted success of 300 meters above the ground that is approximately 985 feet (Gay, 2014, p.89). On the other hand, the Wright brothers were the first people to fly a well powered and controlled aircraft in1903.Intially the flights involved the gliders that had control but lacked sufficient power or merely the free flight but no control. However, Wright brothers combined the two aspects making it possible to fly efficiently with minimal hindrances and disturbances that would emanate from the situation. The invention and adoption of the ailerons rather than the wing warping made it possible and easier to control the aircraft especially during the world war later. The heavier than air powered aircrafts became possible practical and possible for artillery and the attacks against the ground positions. The invention of the aircrafts made it possible to transport larger and reliable goods increasing the ability of the aviation industry (McRuer, Graham & Ashkenas, 2014, p.56). The invention and usage of metals that are heavier than air have brought a new shape in the aviation industry. The understanding and knowledge of the strengths, limitations and the uses of different metals has brought a new shape and understanding of the aviation industry. The airframes are vital considerations and appropriateness of the meals in a great milestone. For example, the hardness of the metal is a crucial characteristic in shaping and designing the aircrafts. The aircrafts used in the military must have hard metals that will help them withstand shocks and bullets in the battlefield. According to (Chae & Kumar, 2008, p.59) hardness refers to the ability of the materials to resists penetration, abrasion, cutting action or the permanent distortion. The hardness may normally increase through cold working especially when using the alloys of steel and aluminum through heat treatment. The formation of structural parts involves forming the metal in a soft state and later heat treated in an attempt to harden them to create the finished shape. The property and ability of hardness are closely linked properties of metals. They are nine structural components or units of a fixed-wing or the aircraft. The first part is the fuselage, the engine mounts, the nacelle, the wings, the stabilizers, the flight control, the landing gears, the arresting gear and finally the catapult equipment. The fuel usage comprises of the main part of the aircraft whereby all the other units ends up attached. It normally provides enough space for the passengers, cargo and crew among other equipment. The fuselages for the naval aircrafts have metal as the principal constituent and later assembled through the same design. The plan n mainly relies on the strength of the shell or skin to carry the various components within the structure. The design has three main classes that include the monocoque, the semi-monocoque and finally the longitudinal members. It also has the stringers and longerons but lack the diagonal web members. In modern constructions, the semi-monocoque has aluminum alloy as the primary material because of its lower density and malleability (Gay, 2014, p.47). Gay(2014, p.49) Asserts that CO. S787 Dream liner depicted popular attention because it was the first commercial plane that had a skin made of carbon fiber composites. The aviation industry has less heralded materials such as the highly engineered titanium as well as a range of innovative aluminum alloys that have equal significant. Initially, the passenger jets had a common metal that is steel and aluminum. In addition, in 1974, the European upstart bus went ahead and pushed the technology to include the composite rudder on the first plane, A300. From then, the airplane makers have steadily increased reliance on the high-tech materials that have lighter less prone and stronger metals. For instance, the A350 Airbus has a new mark as the best composite passenger flying jet. It began the test flights recently and it consists of 53% of composites compared to the previous 50% for the Boeing and dream liner as per information delivered by the company. It is quite exciting because new material combinations have come online according to the director who goes by the name Ric Parker. Also the British turbine maker has embarked on developing new composites with ceramics, metals and the plastics as the main products. According to (Gay, 2014, p.57) materials have been critical to the process of aviation and it determines the quality of aircrafts produced. The quality here refers to the durability and function ability of the aircraft's about the time and place. In 1930, the Boeing Company built some of the first metal airplanes, which had superior strength, and the aerodynamics compared to the existing fabric and wood models. Some eight years later, the technology of Boeing facilitated the offering of the fully pressurized airliner and the propeller of the 307 Airliner. After the 1950s, the Boeing, and the engine makers tapped the material technologies developed during the world war 11 in making the first successful jetliner known as the 707. Method of Project The project involved evaluating the different materials that used in the process over the years. From the traditional aircraft industry to the modern industry, there have been remarkable changes in terms of design, aim and materials used in the manufacture of aircrafts. First air balloons were applicable until today where the carbon composites are in use. Literature is covering the transition making it easy and possible to carry out the research and literature review plenty. The cross-examination of different sources makes the entire topic clear and real. Results Callister, W. D., & Rethwisch, D. G. 2007. Materials science and engineering: an introduction (Vol. 7, pp. 665-715). New York: Wiley. Materials used in aviation industry Gay, D. 2014. Composite materials: design and applications. CRC press Composite materials used in the manufacture of aircrafts McRuer, D. T., Graham, D., & Ashkenas, I. 2014. Aircraft dynamics and automatic control. Princeton University Press The aims and dynamics of the current aviation industry Wright, T. P. 2012. Factors affecting the cost of airplanes. Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences (Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences), 3(4). Does materials, design and cost affect usability of airplanes Chae, H. G., & Kumar, S. 2008. Materials science: Making strong fibers The advantages of fibers in the aviation industry Discussions Advantages and disadvantages of design and materials in the aviation industry As posted above, the modern materials and design have many advantages over the traditional way of making the aircrafts. Initially, the hot air balloon was the most effective flying agent but it could not move to long distances and could only descend from a higher level to a lower level. However, the introduction of the powered aircraft made it possible to revolutionize the industry. The Zeppelin was another initiative that marked the development of the industry, but its design did not meet the threshold of the demand (Wright, 2012, p.67). The plan marked the beginning of the modern airplanes that have the ability to carry significant loads and passengers increasing profitability and maneuverability of the plane. In the same breath introduction of aluminum and other materials heavier than air in the industry made it possible for the naval and military aviation to make significant steps in guarding the respective territories and general military ability. However, most of these metals are expensive making the entire industry unnecessarily expensive. The introduction of fiber composites in the industry has revolutionized the industry making it possible to reduce expenses associated with the acquisition of metals and other instrumental gadgets (Wright, 2012, p.78). Present, future solutions Usage of metals in the industry appears to be problem and health hazard. The introduction of carbon composites in making the skin and other vital parts illustrate the essence of replacing metals with the composites. Conclusion Aviation industry has remarkably gone through a series of changes. The introduction of powered airplanes and heavier metals in the construction illustrates the magical developments that have taken place in the field. Replacement of metallic components with fiber and composite components makes the entire process a success and less expensive. References Callister, W. D., & Rethwisch, D. G. 2007. Materials science and engineering: an introduction (Vol. 7, pp. 665-715). New York: Wiley. Chae, H. G., & Kumar, S. 2008. Materials Science: Making strong fibers. Princeton University Press. Gay, D. 2014. Composite materials: design and applications. CRC Press. New York: Wiley. McRuer, D. T., Graham, D., & Ashkenas, I. 2014. Aircraft dynamics and automatic control. Princeton University Press. Wright, T. P. 2012. Factors affecting the cost of airplanes. Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences (Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences), 3(4). Self evaluation The project taught me the series of events the aviation industry has taken to bring the current airship to work. The aspects of materials and design have adequate coverage that warrants better understanding. However, in terms analyzing the aims of the different categories of materials has been a problem and given an opportunity I would dig up the information again. Read More