Polymers in Aerospace Applications

Polymers in Aerospace Applications, W.W. Wright, University of Surrey. 

Many heterocyclic polymers have been produced in an attempt to develop high-temperature-resistant polymers for aerospace applications. Among these are the polybenzimidazoles (PBIs), which are prepared from aromatic tetramines and esters of dicarboxylic acids (structure 4.63). In standardized procedures, the reactants are heated to below 300°C forming soluble prepolymer, which is converted to the final insoluble polymer by further heating ... 

Polyimides have also been the subject of many review compilations of papers and continue to be the focus of many conferences around the world [28-33]. Having various chemical forms, including isoimides, polyimides have found use in a vast array of applications that in some cases, due to their superior physical characteristics have displaced epoxies, for example, as matrix polymers in aerospace vehicles. 

Major polymer applications metal compressors in aerospace applications, pump housings, compressor valve plates, bushings, bearings, wear pads, piston rings and seals, gears, fasteners, plastic engine... 

Another characteristic property of polymers, namely their high specific stiffness and strength (which are due to their low density, especially when used in fiber-reinforced composite materials), has led to the use of polymers in transport applications, especially in aerospace industries, where weight saving is of vital importance and materials cost is secondary. However, here again many applications also demand high temperature resistance. 

Polymer composite structures used in aerospace applications require NDT at various levels depending on their designation as a primary or secondary structure. A primary structure is a structure where the failure could result in loss of the air vehicle or life and therefore usually requires 100% instrumented NDT. A secondary structure... 

La Mantia FP, Morreale (2011) Green composites a brief review. Compos A 42 579-588 Li Y, Li N, Gao J (2013) Tooling design and microwave curing technologies for the manufacturing of fiber-reinforced polymer composites in aerospace applications. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 70 (l ) 591-606... 

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