ABSTRACT
Development ..................................................................................... 243 7.5 Measurement Applications: Industrial Manufacturing ................................244
7.5.1 Carbon Fiber-Composite Aircraft Tailcone Assembly ....................244 7.5.1.1 Carbon Fiber Preform and Sensor Layup ..........................245 7.5.1.2 Infusion Monitoring ...........................................................248 7.5.1.3 Cure Monitoring: Development of Transverse Strain ........250 7.5.1.4 Cure Monitoring: Development of Longitudinal Strain .... 253 7.5.1.5 Post-Fabrication Mechanical Testing: Strain Monitoring... 256
There is a significant increase in the uptake of composite material technology across a number of industries, particularly aerospace, thanks to the development of composite materials with innovative characteristics, aided by advancements in manufacturing processes. Composite materials are lightweight and they have a large strength-to-weight ratio, making them important for energy conservation in a range of applications, including aerospace. The aerospace industry alone has experienced major strides in the use of composite materials for aircraft structures, where Airbus (A380 and A350 planes) and Boeing (787 Dreamliner plane) have pioneered commercial jet aircraft with significant composite material content. Industrial-scale production of composite material components does not, at present, incorporate sensors within the components to monitor the manufacturing process, and quality control is largely carried out empirically.
