Aerospace Composites, their Structural Properties, and their Impact on Future Supersonic Flight: A Review

With new advancements and discoveries, composite materials have recently become a major option in material selection for modern aircraft.Their lightweight and durable properties make them more highly regarded in comparison to standard aerospace materials, such as alloys.However, with the renewed focus on supersonic transports (SSTs), it is important to consider whether the properties of composites are superior to those of aerospace metals under supersonic conditions.Numerous studies have been conducted on certain composites, such as those by Parveez, Bisma, et al. and Lakshmikanthan, Avinash, et al.Other works have reviewed considerations for supersonic aircraft design as well, including the work by Huda, Zainul, and Prasetyo Edi.These results have allowed composites to be widely used in the aerospace industry today.This article connects the two topics by focusing on the structural properties of composite materials and the airframe of aircraft.It reviews our current technology in composites, before analyzing these findings to determine its potential use and impact on supersonic flight.Their superior properties, such as their ability to handle higher stresses, allow them to be a viable option for future SSTs despite certain limitations regarding performance at higher speeds.It was concluded that SST operators should consider operating with stricter maintenance protocols for SSTs with current composite technology.Additionally, engineers should also research more advanced matrix and reinforcement materials as well as matrix-reinforcement combinations to enhance the structural performance of composites for this application.The results found in this paper are for future engineers working with supersonic aircraft to help advance their decisions in picking materials.