Airbus Claims Boeing Rushed Composites into 7E7
Sunday July 4, 2004
Airbus engineers are claiming Boeing has rushed the development of the 7E7 Dreamliner. In particular, they say composite technology is not mature enough to build an all-composite fuselage. But the claims may be no more than a marketing ploy, in response to Boeing's criticism of weight overruns on the Airbus A380. For example, one Airbus VP stated that carbon composites are often no more than "black aluminum," providing little advantage over conventional materials. While that may be true in some cases, that is a design decision, not an inherent problem with the materials, and there is no evidence presented that Boeing is using that approach.
Comments
this is arresting. www.bryantpond.gmaine.com
was it rushed? a year later we will say yes, but Boeing (and obviously still airbus) thought that thick enough composite could be a black aluminum. composites don’t conduct though and THATS why there will be delays. can you say Zone 1A and 1B?
The biggest concern with the use of composite materials for use in aerospace structures is their poor out-of-plane properties i.e. impact damage tolerance and resistance to delamination. However, these properties can be improved by various means and research into composites with through-the-thickness reinforcement will progress the use and wider acceptance of composite materials for aersopace.
Does Airbus have access to the manufacturing data at Boing? Does Ford have access to GM manufacturing data? Critics like this, really do not service the safety issues, only self service commerical interest. Yes, critizisum from FAA, or any non-commerically involved 3 rd party would have some creditability. An Airbus, American Airlines, just off JFK, a few years back that lost its tail just after takeoff? I gave Airbus people as much creditability as a stock broker advising which stock to buy just after he declared bankrupany.