What are the disadvantages of composite materials?
Expensive To Produce One of the main disadvantages of composite material is the cost of the raw materials and processing. Advanced fibers such as carbon and aramid are costly, and production processes frequently call for specialized machinery. For businesses with narrow profit margins, these expenses can be crippling. Though carbon fiber is more expensive than aluminum as a base material, one of its biggest costs is creating the final composite parts made of carbon fiber (molding, layering, resin, curing, baking, etc). It is very time consuming and demanding.Airbus A350 XWB also utilizes composite materials extensively. The aircraft’s wings, fuselage, and other structural components leverage the benefits of composites, making it a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly option.Composites offer other advantages over aluminum, too: Composites are excellent at handling tension – In highly tension-loaded applications, such as the fuselage of airplanes, this helps decrease fatigue and maintenance. Aluminum is sensitive to tension loads.By contrast, the Boeing 777 is 12 percent composites and 50 percent aluminum, and composites make up about 25 percent of the total airframe on the Airbus A380.
How long do composite materials last?
Composite products typically last between 20 to 75+ years depending on the materials used, manufacturing quality, and environmental conditions. Modern carbon and glass fiber composites are engineered for exceptional durability, often outlasting traditional materials like steel and aluminum. The future looks bright for composites as new innovations continue to emerge. With increasing focus on sustainability, industries are looking for ways to reduce waste, lower carbon footprints, and use renewable materials.