Advanced Aerospace Composites

REPLACING metal parts by composites has been undertaken for some time in the aerospcae industry and there has been gradual acceptance of these materials for use in primary structure. Du Pont Kevlar para‐aramid and Nomex meta‐aramid have been used for many applications where low weight, strength and durability are the most important qualities. They are used alone or in combination with carbon in hybrid laminate constructions which achieve a weight saving of 15 to 30% over the metal parts that they replace.