Composites market flying high on aerospace demand

The most recent Composites Market report from Markets and Markets has predicted growth at a CAGR of 8.2% by 2027- from $113.7 billion in 2022, to $168.6 billion. This forecasted growth is down to high demand for materials with properties such as good tensile strength, a high strength to weight ratio and electrical conductivity- and glass fibre composites make up a good proportion of this market.

Glass composites not only provide strength and flexibility, but are durable, stable, lightweight and resistant to heat, temperature and moisture. In the aerospace industry, they’re used for underbody structures, engine covers, instrument panels and ventilation systems, to name but a few.

The lay-up manufacturing process leads the way in the global composites industry when it comes to both value and volume. This process allows for flexibility in the orientation of fibres to ensure that maximum tension can be absorbed. It’s a low cost technology with huge advantages: design changes can be quickly and easily implemented, thanks to quick fibre and resin deposition; operations are simple and production efficiency is high.

The aerospace industry uses the lay-up process due to its simplicity and ability to produce large, lightweight components. The process also incorporates the prepreg manufacturing process, also known as the hot-melt process and prepreg lay-up process.

As such, the industry relies heavily on composites: carbon fibre composites are used to make the airframes of the Boeing 787 and Airbus 350; 50% of these aircrafts’ materials are composites, lowering the overall weight by around 20% and helping to improve fuel efficiency. Not only are composites cost-effective, they’re also part consolidating, stable, and resistant to corrosion and fatigue damage. When compared to traditional jetliners, advanced carbon fibre composite design also allows for bigger passenger windows and lower cabin altitude. 

The need for high strength and lightweight materials is growing, and environmental concerns have put fuel efficiency top of the list for improvements that need to be made in the aerospace industry. More leading aircraft manufacturers are now choosing to use using carbon fibre composites in commercial aircraft, such as Boeing and Airbus- and due to low labour costs and rising demand, aerospace industry in the Asia Pacific is set to make up the biggest market share over the next four years.