Ebook: Around Glare: A New Aircraft Material in Context

During September 24-26, 2001, the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering of the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands organised the Glare - the New Material for Aircraft Conference, an international conference on the relationship between design, material choice and application of aircraft materials with respect to new developments in industry. Eminent representatives from the aircraft manufacturing world, including manufacturers, airlines, airports, universities, governments and aviation authorities, were present at this conference to meet and exchange ideas - see the group photo on the next two pages. The fact that the conference was held just two weeks after ‘September 11, 2001’ put things in a rather unique perspective. The aim of the conference was to illustrate the many unique applications of the Glare family of fibre metal laminates and to provide for the exchange and distribution of information regarding this material in order to stimulate their acceptance and promote further application. The introduction of fibre metal laminates into the commercial aviation market took about 20 years’ time. Introducing new technologies should not be taken lightly, however; the aircraft industry is by nature rather conservative and innovations must therefore be proven – a paradox actually – in all possible ways before they can be introduced in real aircraft structures. Not only do technical aspects play a role in this respect; historical, cultural, economical and political issues are equally important.

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From the beginning of the 1980s, the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands developed fibre metal laminates such as Glare. This new family of hybrid materials consists of thin metal layers bonded together by fibres embedded in an adhesive, thus creating a material possessing a mixture of metal and composite characteristics. Introducing new technologies in the aircraft industry is not to be taken lightly. By nature, the aircraft industry is rather conservative; innovations must be proven - a paradox actually - in all possible ways before they can be introduced in real aircraft structures. Not only do technical aspects play a role in this respect; historical, cultural, economical and political issues are equally important. This book deals with the less technical and non-technical issues related to Glare's introduction in aviation from different perspectives.

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From the beginning of the 1980s, the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands developed fibre metal laminates such as Glare. This new family of hybrid materials consists of thin metal layers bonded together by fibres embedded in an adhesive, thus creating a material possessing a mixture of metal and composite characteristics. Introducing new technologies in the aircraft industry is not to be taken lightly. By nature, the aircraft industry is rather conservative; innovations must be proven - a paradox actually - in all possible ways before they can be introduced in real aircraft structures. Not only do technical aspects play a role in this respect; historical, cultural, economical and political issues are equally important. This book deals with the less technical and non-technical issues related to Glare's introduction in aviation from different perspectives.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xii
Keynote lecture Flying in the New Atlantis — and the evolution of technology....Pages 3-18
Response 1 Sustainable aviation: KLM’s view on ‘Flying in the New Atlantis’....Pages 19-21
Response 2....Pages 23-25
Response 3 Pleading for a vision....Pages 27-32
Response 4 Dilemmas and how to make a difference....Pages 33-38
Response 5....Pages 39-41
Keynote lecture Materials and the development of aircraft: Wood — aluminium — composites....Pages 43-72
Response 1 Some considerations for new materials integration into aircraft systems....Pages 73-79
Response 2 Wings of silver, wings of gold: Money and technological change in the aircraft industry during the 1920s and 1930s....Pages 81-97
Response 3 Fibre metal laminates: An evolution based on technological pedigree....Pages 99-113
Response 4....Pages 115-120
Response 5....Pages 121-124
Keynote lecture The material down-selection process for A3XX....Pages 127-144
Response 1 Airbus composite aircraft fuselages — next or never....Pages 145-157
Response 2 The way to ensure technology maturity for new materials: A contribution to airworthiness issues....Pages 159-170
Response 3 Designing for risk: New materials and new approaches....Pages 171-174
Response 4 New technology and safety: Some moral considerations....Pages 175-184
Emeritus lecture The integration of academic education and research and development....Pages 187-209
Back Matter....Pages 211-215

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From the beginning of the 1980s, the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands developed fibre metal laminates such as Glare. This new family of hybrid materials consists of thin metal layers bonded together by fibres embedded in an adhesive, thus creating a material possessing a mixture of metal and composite characteristics. Introducing new technologies in the aircraft industry is not to be taken lightly. By nature, the aircraft industry is rather conservative; innovations must be proven - a paradox actually - in all possible ways before they can be introduced in real aircraft structures. Not only do technical aspects play a role in this respect; historical, cultural, economical and political issues are equally important. This book deals with the less technical and non-technical issues related to Glare's introduction in aviation from different perspectives.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xii
Keynote lecture Flying in the New Atlantis — and the evolution of technology....Pages 3-18
Response 1 Sustainable aviation: KLM’s view on ‘Flying in the New Atlantis’....Pages 19-21
Response 2....Pages 23-25
Response 3 Pleading for a vision....Pages 27-32
Response 4 Dilemmas and how to make a difference....Pages 33-38
Response 5....Pages 39-41
Keynote lecture Materials and the development of aircraft: Wood — aluminium — composites....Pages 43-72
Response 1 Some considerations for new materials integration into aircraft systems....Pages 73-79
Response 2 Wings of silver, wings of gold: Money and technological change in the aircraft industry during the 1920s and 1930s....Pages 81-97
Response 3 Fibre metal laminates: An evolution based on technological pedigree....Pages 99-113
Response 4....Pages 115-120
Response 5....Pages 121-124
Keynote lecture The material down-selection process for A3XX....Pages 127-144
Response 1 Airbus composite aircraft fuselages — next or never....Pages 145-157
Response 2 The way to ensure technology maturity for new materials: A contribution to airworthiness issues....Pages 159-170
Response 3 Designing for risk: New materials and new approaches....Pages 171-174
Response 4 New technology and safety: Some moral considerations....Pages 175-184
Emeritus lecture The integration of academic education and research and development....Pages 187-209
Back Matter....Pages 211-215
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