AFAB 120
Composite Fabrication & Repair
Chapter 1 Worksheet
1. What is a composite?
Composite is putting two or more materials together forming a stronger structure,
than when the materials are not put together. Materials remain unique.
2. Generally, the matrix is a liquid , and the reinforcing material is a solid.
3. What is one of the oldest forms of composites?
One of the oldest forms of composite is adobe. Adobe is a composite made from
the combination of mud and straw, used to create bricks.
4. On aircraft, what is one of the first types of composites used?
The first types of composites used on aircrafts were the traditional dope and
fabric. Nitrate or butyrate dope were combined with grade-A cotton fabric to
create a lightweight, yet strong, skin covering.
5. Why are composite materials so popular? Why does the aircraft industry
utilize them instead of metal?
Composite is popular and utilized over metal because of its high-strength and
lightweight components.
6. Are composite materials strong enough to be used on aircraft primary
structure, if so, why?
Yes, they are strong enough to be used on an aircrafts primary structure, because
of the new developments in the materials make the aircraft lightweight with high
strength.
7. What is an “Advanced Composite”?
Advanced composite is chemical bonding of formulas with existing or new forms
of solid structural material, which form high-strength and light-weight
components utilized in aircrafts.
8. What does FRP mean?
Fiber reinforced plastic
9. Can all composites be repaired the same way? If not, why?
No, composites cannot be repaired the way because newer composites utilize
stronger fabrics and resin matrices that are repaired in a different manner than
fiberglass and the composites would not maintain the same strength.
10. What are some of the advantages of composites?
Some of the advantages of composites are the high strength-to-weight ratio, and
that the composites can be designed to be as strong as a metal part without the
weight.
11. What are some of the uses of composites?
Composites are used on many aircrafts through many fields such as, military,
commercial, corporate, and personal aircrafts. They are also used on power plants
and airframe designs.
12. What are some of the disadvantages of composites?
Some of the disadvantages are that composites like carbon fiber composites have
a negative effect on aluminum. If the carbon fiber composites are in contact with
aluminum, they can cause a galvanic potential which causes aluminum to corrode.
Composites also do not react well to moisture. If there is moisture present, the
exposed fibers of the composite can fail. They are also expensive to replace and
have short storage lives.