Page 11 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 Online Magazine

Composite ponents is expected to boost aerospace fillers [ MAINTENANCE REPAIR OVERHAUL ]

composite market share. Additionally, improved
gloss holdout, film shrinkage resistance along
with increased flexibility and easy sanding
properties is expected to drive the product
Challenge demand. Advancements in surface technology
for developing durable and smooth surface on
composite and fiberglass substrates are likely
to provide positive outlook for the aerospace
filler composite market growth. In May 2018,
3M developed low density composite fillers for
components. The product enables 30 per cent
BENEFITS OFFERED BY COMPOSITE weight reduction as compared to conventional
materials such as aluminum and magnesium,.
MATERIALS ARE FURTHER SUPPORTING
THEIR INCREASED ADOPTION For the aerospace MRO sector, composites
offer several benefits. With the advent of Airbus
Jay Menon A350 and Boeing 787, MRO service providers
are investing in new equipment and in training
Over the past several years, the aerospace industry has adopted technicians. However, the changes, according
composite materials, drawn by such benefits as lighter and efficient to MRO service providers, are “evolutionary
aircraft, increased durability and heat resistance, better aircraft rather than revolutionary.” The large commer-
life cycle, flexibility and more. As composite material production cial aircraft with predominantly composite
evolves, and design and production processes improve, OEMs components has made it necessary for atten-
are increasingly adopting composite materials, and the market is tion to be focused on the development of new
expected to grow from US$26.87 billion in 2017 to US$42.97 by and effective maintenance strategies. Airbus
2022, according to Research and Markets’ aerospace compos- reported a 60 per cent reduction in fatigue-

ites market report and global forecast - a CAGR of 9.85 per cent. and corrosion-related maintenance tasks for its
Airframers such as Boeing and Airbus have both shown increased A350 XWB since adopting composites, based
investment in composite material use, with the 787 and A350 com- on the amount of time spent on each check
posed of roughly 50 per cent composite materials. and the amount of checks required during the
aircraft life cycle. This translates to faster and
New Technologies less frequent repairs, which can keep aircraft
Growing demand for high performance and versatile fillers to cover off the ground and in the air for longer periods
surface imperfections and impart smooth surface for aircraft com- of time.

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