AIRCRAFT COMPOSITE MATERIALS SELECTION AND APPLICATION.

Composite aircraft structure requires proof of safety and durability similarly to metallic structure. The proofs of structural analysis methods, reliable material properties, and of assembly methods are similar to those required for metal structure. The effects of environment, time and fatigue damage are different than for metal and must be compensated for when design properties (allowables) are developed. Design allowables are not as readily available for composites as for metals and frequently must be obtained by testing.