ABSTRACT
Military aircra have recently adopted the use of PMCs for primary structural applications such as new wing skins for the A-6 Intruder, the wing spars and fuselage components of the F-22 Raptor air dominance ghter (Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems 1998), and even more recently Boeing has used PMCs extensively in their new 787 Dreamliner aircra (Kristo 2009). Rotary wing aircra have long used PMCs and composite sandwich construction as main rotor material systems for military aircra applications. Commercial automotive vehicles have employed PMCs in structural body and chassis components as well as wheels and other parts since the Chevrolet Corvettes began using berglass as the primary structural material for its sleekly contoured body panels. Recreational watercra designs have used berglass-reinforced plastic materials of construction for decades largely because of their workability and resistance to corrosion in a marine environment. Likewise, sporting goods such as tennis racquets, skis, golf clubs, and backpacking gear are heavy users of PMCs in order to achieve lightweight requirements while maintaining the desired structural performance. Common industrial applications of PMCs include exhaust fan components and ductwork sections because of their resistance to corrosion in certain chemical environments. More recently, wind turbines and bridge components have been developed and are being incorporated into designs. As PMC materials become more broadly utilized and the design principles are more broadly accepted, the applications will expand.
