Nanotechnology is recognized as a very strong innovationdriver and is therefore seen as a strategic technology for the world’s future economy. Nanomaterials with their exceptional multifunctional properties may transform the functioning of aviation industry dramatically.
The success of the Aviation Industry depends on various factors ranging from reduction of weight, availability of materials with multifunctional properties, eco-friendly fuels, less fuel consumption, faster and highly responsive communication systems, less or no repairs, extended and safe life, reduced time frame of development cycle from concept to implementation and many more.
Nanomaterials can be primarily used in three areas of Aviation Industry: 1. Airframe Structure; 2. Aero-Engine Parts; 3. Aircraft Electro-Communication System
1. Nanomaterials in Airframe Structure
The design requirements of the materials to be used in Airframe Structure are:light weight, high strength, high toughness, corrosion resistance, easy reparability and reusability, less maintenance and durability.
The modern aviation design requirements like faster, miniature, highly maneuverable, self healing, intelligence guided, smart, eco-friendly, light weight and stealth systems warrant for materials with extraordinary mechanical and multifunctional properties.
Properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) based polymer composites are their wide range of young’s modulus, high specific strength,crash resistance and thermal performance and these properties can provide conventional composites and light weight metals. There are some CNT based composites that can be used for airframe structure such as CNT/Epoxy, CNT/Polyimide, CNT/PP. Properties of nanoclays reinforced polymer composites are barrier properties, thermal and flame retardent.The extraordinary electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of metal nanoparticles incorporated composites make them the probablefuturistic solution for making the structure which are resistant to lightening strikes.
2. Nanocoatings for Aero-Engine Parts
The coatings are generally used for protectingthe structures and surfaces of the aircraft fromharsh environments. The stringent requirementslike resistance to extreme temperatures, extremeclimates, corrosion, abrasion and wear of engineparts have sparked an increased demand formore reliable high performance coatings.Some nanomaterials coatings with improved high-temperature properties mayallow higher engine-operating temperatures and therefore improvedperformance in the future.SiC nanoparticles in SiC-particle-reinforced alumina Yittria stablized nanozirconia can facilitate crack healing, resulting in improved high-temperature,strength and creep resistance as compared to monolithic ceramics. TiN nanocrystallites embedded in amorphous Si3N4 are used for wear resistantcoatings.
The nanocomposite coatings made of crystalline carbide, diamond like carbide and metal dichalcogenide, TiN are used for low friction andwear resistant applications of aircraft.Nanotube and nanoparticles (nanographite, nano) aluminium containing polymer coating are used for electrostatic discharge, EMIshielding and low friction applications of aircraft surfaces.
3. Nanomaterials for Aircraft Electro-Communication Components
CNTs have unique set of properties, including ballistic electron transport and a huge current carrying capacity, which make them of great interest for future nanoelectronics. Magnetic nanoparticles (Iron oxide Nanoparticlesi.e. Fe2O3 and Fe3O4) incorporated polymer films and composites can be used in various data storage media.Ceramic nanoparticles like barium titanate, barium strontiumtitanate are used for making super capacitors.MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) and NEMS (Nano ElectroMechanical Systems) offer the possibility of developing a standard fuel management unit which controls the fuel control in aero-engines.