This study investigates the potential performance impact of incorporating carbon nanotube reinforced polymer (CNRP) composites in four present-day airframes.
Potential Impact of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polymer Composite on Commercial Aircraft Performance and Economics
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This study investigates the potential performance impact of incorporating carbon nanotube reinforced polymer (CNRP) composites in four present-day airframes. Flight profiles of current and notional 70% single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) by volume carbon nanotube reinforced polymer (CNRP) structured airframes are modeled through the utilization of Euro Control's Base of Aircraft Data (BADA) and from traditional flight dynamics theory. Using this data, flights are constructed from takeoff to landing and fuel consumption is evaluated. Due to the decrease in structural mass from aluminum airframes to notional CNRP-structured airframes of 14.05% on average, observed results include consequential decrease in fuel consumption by an average of 09.8% and an increase in flight range by an average of 13.2%. Flight path data from the Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS) enables a correlation of fuel consumption savings to actual fuel savings for common flight paths for the aircraft types investigated in this study.