WO2012050450A1 - Aircraft wing and fiber metal laminate forming part of such an aircraft wing - Google Patents

Aircraft wing and fiber metal laminate forming part of such an aircraft wing Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012050450A1
WO2012050450A1 PCT/NL2011/050705 NL2011050705W WO2012050450A1 WO 2012050450 A1 WO2012050450 A1 WO 2012050450A1 NL 2011050705 W NL2011050705 W NL 2011050705W WO 2012050450 A1 WO2012050450 A1 WO 2012050450A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fibers
type
group
laminate
layers
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2011/050705
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Reyndert Christiaan Alderliesten
Rinze Benedictus
Original Assignee
Constellium France
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Constellium France filed Critical Constellium France
Priority to EP11773916.9A priority Critical patent/EP2627505B1/en
Priority to CN201180046822.8A priority patent/CN103140349B/en
Priority to US13/823,561 priority patent/US9636891B2/en
Priority to BR112013008884A priority patent/BR112013008884A2/en
Priority to CA2811386A priority patent/CA2811386C/en
Publication of WO2012050450A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012050450A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/12—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers, e.g. the fibres or filaments being parallel or perpendicular to each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B15/00—Layered products comprising a layer of metal
    • B32B15/04—Layered products comprising a layer of metal comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
    • B32B15/08—Layered products comprising a layer of metal comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B15/00—Layered products comprising a layer of metal
    • B32B15/14—Layered products comprising a layer of metal next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
    • B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/26—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
    • B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/28—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer impregnated with or embedded in a plastic substance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64C—AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
    • B64C3/00—Wings
    • B64C3/26—Construction, shape, or attachment of separate skins, e.g. panels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/40—Symmetrical or sandwich layers, e.g. ABA, ABCBA, ABCCBA
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/42—Alternating layers, e.g. ABAB(C), AABBAABB(C)
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2260/00—Layered product comprising an impregnated, embedded, or bonded layer wherein the layer comprises an impregnation, embedding, or binder material
    • B32B2260/02—Composition of the impregnated, bonded or embedded layer
    • B32B2260/021—Fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B2260/023—Two or more layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2260/00—Layered product comprising an impregnated, embedded, or bonded layer wherein the layer comprises an impregnation, embedding, or binder material
    • B32B2260/04—Impregnation, embedding, or binder material
    • B32B2260/048—Natural or synthetic rubber
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
    • B32B2262/02—Synthetic macromolecular fibres
    • B32B2262/0261—Polyamide fibres
    • B32B2262/0269—Aromatic polyamide fibres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
    • B32B2262/10—Inorganic fibres
    • B32B2262/101—Glass fibres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
    • B32B2262/10—Inorganic fibres
    • B32B2262/106—Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2605/00—Vehicles
    • B32B2605/18—Aircraft
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T50/00—Aeronautics or air transport
    • Y02T50/40—Weight reduction
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24058—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
    • Y10T428/24124—Fibers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a fiber metal laminate com ⁇ prising metal layers and fiber reinforced plastic layers in between said metal layers, wherein the metal layers and the fiber reinforced plastic layers are bonded together, and wherein the fibers of the fiber reinforced plastic layers are arranged in a first group and in a second group whereby the fibers of the first group are at an angle with respect to the fibers of the second group.
  • the invention relates further to an aircraft wing em- bodied with one or more of such fiber metal laminates.
  • a fiber metal laminate according to the preamble is known from US-A-5, 547, 735.
  • This known fiber metal laminate comprises a bidirectional reinforcing layer containing about 45-70 volume percent high-strength glass fibers.
  • the bidirec- tional reinforcing layer includes a center layer containing glass fibers oriented generally parallel to a first direction; and first and second outer layers each reinforced with glass fibers oriented in a second direction extending generally transverse to the first direction.
  • the bidirectional laminate is suitable for use in aircraft flooring and other applica ⁇ tions requiring improved impact strength.
  • WO2004/071761 discloses a laminate of at least two plates formed from an aluminium alloy, which each have a thickness of less than 1 mm and between which is situated an intermediate layer on the basis of plastic which is connected to the metal plates and contains at least two groups of pref ⁇ erably continuous, mutually parallel fibers whereby the fibers of the two different groups intersect preferably at an angle of about 90 degrees.
  • the fibers may be made of aromatic poly- amide, glass or carbon.
  • the laminate according to this cita ⁇ tion may be applied as skin plate for the body of an aircraft or spacecraft.
  • Aircraft wing structures which are known to comprise upper wing skin panels and lower wing skin panels are predominantly loaded by upward fatigue bending and torsional loading. For the lower wing skin panels of the aircraft wing this im- plies uni-axial tensile loads and shear loads.
  • the invention aims therefore to provide a fiber metal laminate and an aircraft wing embodied with such a fiber metal laminate, wherein the shear stiffness is improved whilst the tensile stiffness is predominantly maintained at a value that corresponds to what is known from the prior art.
  • a fiber metal laminate and an aircraft wing having upper wing skin panels and lower wing skin panels comprising such a fiber metal laminate
  • the fiber metal laminate has metal layers and fiber reinforced plastic layers in between said metal layers, wherein the metal layers and the fiber reinforced plastic layers are bonded to ⁇ gether, wherein said laminate exhibits fibers of a first type and fibers of a second type, wherein the fibers of the first type are provided in the laminate's (and the wing's) longitu- dinal direction in one or more of its fiber reinforced plastic layers, and wherein the fibers of the second type are provided in fiber reinforced plastic layers at or near a symmetry plane of the laminate.
  • the tensile stiffness of the fiber metal laminate of the invention can thus be generally maintained at the same level or better, whilst the shear stiffness can be improved.
  • the fibers of the sec ⁇ ond type are arranged in a first group of fibers in a first layer of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers at or near a symmetry plane of the laminate, and in a second group of fibers in a second layer of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers at or near a symmetry plane of the laminate, whereby the fibers of the first group and the fibers of the second group are oriented at a predefined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the laminate which is se ⁇ lected in the range plus or minus 10-40 degrees.
  • the fibers of the sec ⁇ ond type have higher strength and stiffness than the fibers of the first type.
  • the specifications of the laminate of the invention can be suitably tuned by selecting the angle between the fi ⁇ bers of the second type in the first group and the fibers of the second type in the second group at a value depending on the difference in stiffness of the fibers of the first type and the fibers of the second type.
  • the predefined angle of the fibers of the second type with reference to the said fibers of the first type in the longitudinal direction is selected at a value of plus or minus 10 degrees. This not only improves the shear stiffness of the laminate and torsional stiffness of the wing, but also raises the tensile stiffness of the laminate and bending stiffness of the wing significantly.
  • the predefined angle of the fibers of the second type with reference to the fibers of the first type in the longitudinal direction is selected at a value of plus or minus 40 degrees. This gives the largest improvement in shear stiffness of the laminate and torsional stiffness of the wing, whilst the tensile stiffness of the laminate and bending stiffness of the wing can be maintained at approximately the value of the prior art fiber metal lami ⁇ nate .
  • the metal layers are aluminium layers
  • the fibers of the first type in the fiber rein ⁇ forced plastic layers are selected from the group comprising glass fibers, aramid fibers, PBO fibers
  • the fibers of the second type in the fiber reinforced plastic layers are selected from the group comprising aramid fibers, PBO fibers, carbon fibers .
  • the aluminum layers comprise alloys from the 5xxx series and/or alloys from the 2xxx series, pref ⁇ erably containing at least 0.1 wt . % lithium, the alloys being defined according to the rules of The Aluminium Association known to those skilled in the art.
  • the fiber metal laminates of the invention that have been compared with the conventional fiber metal laminate have fibers of a first type in the longitudinal direction of the laminate, and fibers of a second type that are oriented in a first angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the laminate, and fibers of a second type that are oriented at a second angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the laminate. Said angles are selected at plus or minus 10°, 25° and 40° respectively.
  • the table below provides the measured results .
  • -figure 2 shows a part of an aircraft wing
  • -figure 3 shows the orientation of the fibers of the second type that are arranged in a symmetry plane of the fiber metal laminate of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 a part of an air ⁇ craft wing 1 is shown which during use is subjected to upward bending forces generated by lift as indicated by the arrow 2.
  • the aircraft wing 1 is also subjected to torsional forces as indicated by the arrow 3.
  • Figure 1 shows the laminate 4 of the invention which is embodied with metal layers 5 and fiber reinforced plastic layers 6, 7 in or near the symmetry plane of the laminate 4, between said metal layers 5. Further there are fiber rein ⁇ forced plastic layers 6', 7' and 6'', 1'' on opposite sides of the said fiber reinforced plastic layers 6, 7 in the symmetry plane of the laminate between the metal layers 5. The metal layers 5 and the fiber reinforced plastic layers 6, 7; 6', 7'; 6'', 7'' are all bonded together.
  • At least one or some of the fiber reinforced plastic layers 6', 1' and 6'', 1'' that are not in or near the symme ⁇ try plane of the laminate 4 exhibit fibers of a first type that are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the lami- nate 4. This longitudinal direction corresponds to the longi- tudinal direction of the assembled wing.
  • These fibers of the first type may be selected from the group comprising glass fi ⁇ bers, aramid fibers, PBO fibers.
  • At least the fibers of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers 6, 7 at or near the symmetry plane of the lami ⁇ nate 4 are selected of a second type, and are selected at a higher strength and stiffness than the fibers of the first type that are applied in the fiber reinforced plastic layers 6', 7' and 6'', 7''.
  • These fibers of the second type are se- lected from the group comprising aramid fibers, PBO fibers, carbon fibers .
  • the fibers of the second type are arranged in a first group in the fiber reinforced plastic layer 6 at or near the symmetry plane of the laminate 4, and in a second group in the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layer 7 at or near the symmetry plane of the laminate 4, whereby the fibers of the second type in the first group and the fibers of the second type in the second group are oriented at a predefined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lami- nate 4 which is selected in the range plus or minus 10-40 de ⁇ grees.
  • Figure 3 shows that in this particular case the prede ⁇ fined angle is selected at a value of plus and minus 40°.
  • the angle between the fibers of the second type in the first group and the fibers of the sec- ond type in the second group is selected at a value depending on the difference in stiffness of the fibers of the first type and the fibers of the second type.
  • the fibers of the first type that are applied externally from the symmetry plane of the laminate 4 have an orientation that corresponds with the longitudinal direction of the aircraft wing. These high stiffness fibers maintain the tensile stiffness that is re ⁇ quired to withstand the loads on the aircraft wing according to arrow 2 as shown in figure 2.
  • the fibers of the second type of the fiber reinforced plastic layer 7, and the fibers of the second type of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layer 6 in the symmetry plane of the laminate that are placed at a pre-defined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the wing 1, provide the laminate 4 and the aircraft wing 1 with significant shear stiffness and strength to withstand torsional loads according to arrow 3 in figure 2. Simultane ⁇ ously the bending stiffness in the wingspan direction is not compromised .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)

Abstract

Fiber metal laminate (4)and an aircraft wing (1) having a longitudinal direction, comprising metal layers (5) and fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7, 6', 7'; 6'', 7'') in between said metal layers (5),wherein the metal layers (5) and the fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7, 6', 7'; 6'', 7'') are bonded together, and wherein the fibers of at least some of the fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7, 6', 7'; 6'', 7'') are arranged in a first group in a first plastic layer (6) and in a second group in a second plastic layer (7) whereby the fibers of the first group are at an angle with respect to the fibers of the second group, whereinsaid laminate (4) exhibits fibers of a first type and fibers of a second type, wherein the fibers of the first type being arranged in the said longitudinal direction of the laminate (4) in one or more of its fiber reinforced plastic layers (6', 7'; 6'', 7''), and that it has adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7) at or near a symmetry-plane of the laminate (4) that are provided with the fibers of the second type.

Description

Aircraft wing and fiber metal laminate forming part of such an aircraft wing
The invention relates to a fiber metal laminate com¬ prising metal layers and fiber reinforced plastic layers in between said metal layers, wherein the metal layers and the fiber reinforced plastic layers are bonded together, and wherein the fibers of the fiber reinforced plastic layers are arranged in a first group and in a second group whereby the fibers of the first group are at an angle with respect to the fibers of the second group.
The invention relates further to an aircraft wing em- bodied with one or more of such fiber metal laminates.
A fiber metal laminate according to the preamble is known from US-A-5, 547, 735. This known fiber metal laminate comprises a bidirectional reinforcing layer containing about 45-70 volume percent high-strength glass fibers. The bidirec- tional reinforcing layer includes a center layer containing glass fibers oriented generally parallel to a first direction; and first and second outer layers each reinforced with glass fibers oriented in a second direction extending generally transverse to the first direction. The bidirectional laminate is suitable for use in aircraft flooring and other applica¬ tions requiring improved impact strength.
WO2004/071761 discloses a laminate of at least two plates formed from an aluminium alloy, which each have a thickness of less than 1 mm and between which is situated an intermediate layer on the basis of plastic which is connected to the metal plates and contains at least two groups of pref¬ erably continuous, mutually parallel fibers whereby the fibers of the two different groups intersect preferably at an angle of about 90 degrees. The fibers may be made of aromatic poly- amide, glass or carbon. The laminate according to this cita¬ tion may be applied as skin plate for the body of an aircraft or spacecraft.
The prior art is silent on the use and the associated problems when a fiber metal laminate is to be used as a skin panel for an aircraft wing. Aircraft wing structures which are known to comprise upper wing skin panels and lower wing skin panels are predominantly loaded by upward fatigue bending and torsional loading. For the lower wing skin panels of the aircraft wing this im- plies uni-axial tensile loads and shear loads.
To meet the uni-axial tensile loads and to provide sufficient bending stiffness and strength to the laminate and to the aircraft wing in which the laminate is applied, it is known to use a fiber metal laminate having the fibers oriented in the wingspan direction. The problem is however that then the shear stiffness and shear strength is low.
It has also been proposed to orient the fibers in the fiber metal laminate at an angle of for instance 45 degrees, yet this goes at the expense of a reduced bending stiffness and strength.
As a further alternative it has been proposed to di¬ minish the volume of the fiber reinforced plastic layers in favor of the volume of the metal layers, which are usually made out of aluminium. The aluminium layers exhibit a higher shear stiffness, but this solution reduces the fatigue per¬ formance of the laminate in comparison with a regular fiber metal laminate significantly.
The invention aims therefore to provide a fiber metal laminate and an aircraft wing embodied with such a fiber metal laminate, wherein the shear stiffness is improved whilst the tensile stiffness is predominantly maintained at a value that corresponds to what is known from the prior art.
To this end according to the invention a laminate and an aircraft wing is proposed in accordance with one or more of the appended claims.
Essentially a fiber metal laminate and an aircraft wing having upper wing skin panels and lower wing skin panels comprising such a fiber metal laminate is proposed, wherein the fiber metal laminate has metal layers and fiber reinforced plastic layers in between said metal layers, wherein the metal layers and the fiber reinforced plastic layers are bonded to¬ gether, wherein said laminate exhibits fibers of a first type and fibers of a second type, wherein the fibers of the first type are provided in the laminate's (and the wing's) longitu- dinal direction in one or more of its fiber reinforced plastic layers, and wherein the fibers of the second type are provided in fiber reinforced plastic layers at or near a symmetry plane of the laminate. In comparison with a conventional fiber metal laminate the tensile stiffness of the fiber metal laminate of the invention can thus be generally maintained at the same level or better, whilst the shear stiffness can be improved.
Best results are achieved when the fibers of the sec¬ ond type are arranged in a first group of fibers in a first layer of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers at or near a symmetry plane of the laminate, and in a second group of fibers in a second layer of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers at or near a symmetry plane of the laminate, whereby the fibers of the first group and the fibers of the second group are oriented at a predefined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the laminate which is se¬ lected in the range plus or minus 10-40 degrees.
It is further preferable that the fibers of the sec¬ ond type have higher strength and stiffness than the fibers of the first type.
The specifications of the laminate of the invention can be suitably tuned by selecting the angle between the fi¬ bers of the second type in the first group and the fibers of the second type in the second group at a value depending on the difference in stiffness of the fibers of the first type and the fibers of the second type.
In a preferred embodiment the predefined angle of the fibers of the second type with reference to the said fibers of the first type in the longitudinal direction is selected at a value of plus or minus 10 degrees. This not only improves the shear stiffness of the laminate and torsional stiffness of the wing, but also raises the tensile stiffness of the laminate and bending stiffness of the wing significantly.
In another preferred embodiment the predefined angle of the fibers of the second type with reference to the fibers of the first type in the longitudinal direction is selected at a value of plus or minus 40 degrees. This gives the largest improvement in shear stiffness of the laminate and torsional stiffness of the wing, whilst the tensile stiffness of the laminate and bending stiffness of the wing can be maintained at approximately the value of the prior art fiber metal lami¬ nate .
It is preferable that the metal layers are aluminium layers, that the fibers of the first type in the fiber rein¬ forced plastic layers are selected from the group comprising glass fibers, aramid fibers, PBO fibers, and that the fibers of the second type in the fiber reinforced plastic layers are selected from the group comprising aramid fibers, PBO fibers, carbon fibers .
Advantageously, the aluminum layers comprise alloys from the 5xxx series and/or alloys from the 2xxx series, pref¬ erably containing at least 0.1 wt . % lithium, the alloys being defined according to the rules of The Aluminium Association known to those skilled in the art.
Example
To show the improvement in shear stiffness while maintaining or even increasing the tensile stiffness, a comparison has been made of several fiber metal laminates accord¬ ing to the invention with a conventional fiber metal laminate comprising five aluminium layers with in-between four fiber reinforced plastic layers containing glass fibers in the lon¬ gitudinal direction, referred to in literature as Glare2-5/4- 0.4.
The fiber metal laminates of the invention that have been compared with the conventional fiber metal laminate have fibers of a first type in the longitudinal direction of the laminate, and fibers of a second type that are oriented in a first angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the laminate, and fibers of a second type that are oriented at a second angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the laminate. Said angles are selected at plus or minus 10°, 25° and 40° respectively. The table below provides the measured results . Panel Tensile stiffness Shear stiffness
Standard Glare pa¬ 100% 100%
nel Glare 2-5/4-0.4
Invention panel 129% 104%
plus and minus 10°
Invention panel 115% 119%
plus and minus 25°
Invention panel 98% 131%
plus and minus 40°
The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to the drawing of an aircraft wing and an exem¬ plary embodiment of the laminate of the invention.
In the drawing:
-figure 1 shows a fiber metal laminate of the inven¬ tion;
-figure 2 shows a part of an aircraft wing; -figure 3 shows the orientation of the fibers of the second type that are arranged in a symmetry plane of the fiber metal laminate of the invention.
With reference first to figure 2 a part of an air¬ craft wing 1 is shown which during use is subjected to upward bending forces generated by lift as indicated by the arrow 2. The aircraft wing 1 is also subjected to torsional forces as indicated by the arrow 3.
Figure 1 shows the laminate 4 of the invention which is embodied with metal layers 5 and fiber reinforced plastic layers 6, 7 in or near the symmetry plane of the laminate 4, between said metal layers 5. Further there are fiber rein¬ forced plastic layers 6', 7' and 6'', 1'' on opposite sides of the said fiber reinforced plastic layers 6, 7 in the symmetry plane of the laminate between the metal layers 5. The metal layers 5 and the fiber reinforced plastic layers 6, 7; 6', 7'; 6'', 7'' are all bonded together.
At least one or some of the fiber reinforced plastic layers 6', 1' and 6'', 1'' that are not in or near the symme¬ try plane of the laminate 4 exhibit fibers of a first type that are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the lami- nate 4. This longitudinal direction corresponds to the longi- tudinal direction of the assembled wing. These fibers of the first type may be selected from the group comprising glass fi¬ bers, aramid fibers, PBO fibers.
At least the fibers of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers 6, 7 at or near the symmetry plane of the lami¬ nate 4 are selected of a second type, and are selected at a higher strength and stiffness than the fibers of the first type that are applied in the fiber reinforced plastic layers 6', 7' and 6'', 7''. These fibers of the second type are se- lected from the group comprising aramid fibers, PBO fibers, carbon fibers .
Further the fibers of the second type are arranged in a first group in the fiber reinforced plastic layer 6 at or near the symmetry plane of the laminate 4, and in a second group in the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layer 7 at or near the symmetry plane of the laminate 4, whereby the fibers of the second type in the first group and the fibers of the second type in the second group are oriented at a predefined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lami- nate 4 which is selected in the range plus or minus 10-40 de¬ grees. Figure 3 shows that in this particular case the prede¬ fined angle is selected at a value of plus and minus 40°.
Generally speaking the angle between the fibers of the second type in the first group and the fibers of the sec- ond type in the second group is selected at a value depending on the difference in stiffness of the fibers of the first type and the fibers of the second type.
As mentioned herinabove in general the fibers of the first type that are applied externally from the symmetry plane of the laminate 4, have an orientation that corresponds with the longitudinal direction of the aircraft wing. These high stiffness fibers maintain the tensile stiffness that is re¬ quired to withstand the loads on the aircraft wing according to arrow 2 as shown in figure 2. The fibers of the second type of the fiber reinforced plastic layer 7, and the fibers of the second type of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layer 6 in the symmetry plane of the laminate that are placed at a pre-defined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the wing 1, provide the laminate 4 and the aircraft wing 1 with significant shear stiffness and strength to withstand torsional loads according to arrow 3 in figure 2. Simultane¬ ously the bending stiffness in the wingspan direction is not compromised .
It is further remarked that the potentially low strain to failure of the fibers is compensated in bending di¬ rection by their angled orientation; the fibers are not only stretched in their principal direction, but they can also shear as shown by comparison of the right-hand part with the left hand part of figure 3. This effectively increases the strain to failure of the plies forming part of the fiber metal laminate of the invention.

Claims

1. Fiber metal laminate (4) for an aircraft wing (1) having a longitudinal direction, and comprising metal layers (5) and fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7, 6', 7'; 6'', 1'') in between said metal layers (5) wherein the metal layers (5) and the fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7, 6', 7'; 6'', 1'') are bonded together, and wherein the fibers of at least some of the fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7, 6', 7'; 6'', 1'') are arranged in a first group in a first plastic layer (6) and in a second group in a second plastic layer (7) whereby the fibers of the first group are at an angle with re¬ spect to the fibers of the second group, characterized in that said laminate (4) exhibits fibers of a first type and fibers of a second type, wherein the fibers of the first type being arranged in the said longitudinal direction of the laminate (4) in one or more of its fiber reinforced plastic layers (6', 7'; 6'', Ί''), and that it has adjacent fiber reinforced plas¬ tic layers (6, 7) at or near a symmetry-plane of the laminate (4) that are provided with the fibers of the second type.
2. Fiber metal laminate (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fibers of the second type are ar¬ ranged in a first group of fibers in a first layer (6) of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7) at or near a symmetry plane of the laminate (4), and in a second group of fibers in a second layer (7) of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7) at or near a symmetry plane of the lami¬ nate (4), whereby the fibers of the first group and the fibers of the second group are oriented at a predefined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the laminate (4) which is selected in the range plus or minus 10-40 degrees.
3. Fiber metal laminate (4) according to claim 1 or
2, characterized in that the fibers of the second type have higher strength and stiffness than the fibers of the first type .
4. Fiber metal laminate (4) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the angle between the fibers of the first group and the fibers of the second group is se- lected at a value depending on the difference in stiffness of the fibers of the first type and the fibers of the second type.
5. Fiber metal laminate (4) according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the predefined angle is se- lected at a value of plus or minus 10 degrees.
6. Fiber metal laminate (4) according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that the predefined angle is se¬ lected at a value of plus or minus 40 degrees.
7. Fiber metal laminate (4) according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the metal layers are alumin¬ ium layers, that the fibers of the first type in the fiber re¬ inforced plastic layers are selected from the group comprising glass fibers, aramid fibers, PBO fibers, and that the fibers of the second type in the fiber reinforced plastic layers are se- lected from the group comprising aramid fibers, PBO fibers, carbon fibers .
8. Fiber metal laminate (4) according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the metal layers are aluminum layers comprising alloys from the 5xxx series and/or alloys from the 2xxx series, preferably containing at least 0.1 wt . % lithium.
9. Aircraft wing (1) having upper wing skin panels and lower wing skin panels, characterized in that at least the lower wing skin panels comprise a fiber metal laminate (4) with metal layers (5) and adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers
(6, 7) in between said metal layers (5), wherein the metal lay¬ ers (5) and the fiber reinforced plastic layers are bonded to¬ gether, wherein said laminate (4) exhibits fibers of a first type and fibers of a second type, wherein the fibers of the first type are provided in the wing's (1) longitudinal direc¬ tion in one or more of its fiber reinforced plastic layers (6', 7'; 6'', Ί''), and the fibers of the second type are provided in adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7) at or near a symmetry plane of the laminate (4) .
10. Aircraft wing according to claim 9, characterized in that the fibers of the second type are arranged in a first group of fibers in a first layer (6) of the adjacent fiber re¬ inforced plastic layers (6, 7) in the symmetry plane of the laminate (4), and in a second group of fibers in a second layer (7) of the adjacent fiber reinforced plastic layers (6, 7) in the symmetry plane of the laminate (4), whereby the fi¬ bers of the first group and the fibers of the second group are oriented at a predefined angle with respect to the wing' s lon- gitudinal direction, which angle is selected in the range plus or minus 10-40 degrees.
11. Aircraft wing according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the fibers of the second type have higher strength and stiffness than the fibers of the first type.
12. Aircraft wing according to any one of claims 9-
11, characterized in that the angle between the fibers of the first group and the fibers of the second group is selected at a value depending on the difference in stiffness of the fibers of the first type and the fibers of the second type.
13. Aircraft wing (1) according to any one of claims
10-12, characterized in that the predefined angle is selected at a value of plus or minus 10 degrees.
14. Aircraft wing (1) according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that the predefined angle is selected at a value of plus or minus 40 degrees.
15. Aircraft wing (1) according to any one of claims 9-14, characterized in that the metal layers are aluminium layers, that the fibers of the first type in the fiber rein¬ forced plastic layers (6, 7) are selected from the group com- prising glass fibers, aramid fibers, PBO fibers, and that the fibers of the second type in the fiber reinforced plastic lay¬ ers (6, 7) are selected from the group comprising aramid fi¬ bers, PBO fibers, carbon fibers.
16. Aircraft wing (1) according to any one of claims 9-15, characterized in that the metal layers are aluminum lay¬ ers comprising alloys from the 5xxx series and/or alloys from the 2xxx series, preferably containing at least 0.1 wt . % lith¬ ium .
PCT/NL2011/050705 2010-10-15 2011-10-14 Aircraft wing and fiber metal laminate forming part of such an aircraft wing WO2012050450A1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11773916.9A EP2627505B1 (en) 2010-10-15 2011-10-14 Aircraft wing and fiber metal laminate forming part of such an aircraft wing
CN201180046822.8A CN103140349B (en) 2010-10-15 2011-10-14 The fiber metal laminate of a part for wing and the described wing of formation
US13/823,561 US9636891B2 (en) 2010-10-15 2011-10-14 Aircraft wing and fiber metal laminate forming part of such an aircraft wing
BR112013008884A BR112013008884A2 (en) 2010-10-15 2011-10-14 aircraft wing and laminated metal fiber that are part of such aircraft wing
CA2811386A CA2811386C (en) 2010-10-15 2011-10-14 Aircraft wing and fiber metal laminate forming part of such an aircraft wing

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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NL2005536A NL2005536C2 (en) 2010-10-15 2010-10-15 Aircraft wing and fiber metal laminate forming part of such an aircraft wing.
NL2005536 2010-10-15

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WO2012050450A1 true WO2012050450A1 (en) 2012-04-19

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EP (1) EP2627505B1 (en)
CN (1) CN103140349B (en)
BR (1) BR112013008884A2 (en)
CA (1) CA2811386C (en)
NL (1) NL2005536C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2012050450A1 (en)

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KR20130138095A (en) * 2012-06-08 2013-12-18 더 보잉 컴파니 Optimized cross-ply orientation in composite laminates
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BR112013008884A2 (en) 2016-06-28
EP2627505B1 (en) 2014-07-23
CN103140349A (en) 2013-06-05
EP2627505A1 (en) 2013-08-21
NL2005536C2 (en) 2012-04-17
CN103140349B (en) 2015-11-25
US9636891B2 (en) 2017-05-02
US20130233972A1 (en) 2013-09-12
CA2811386C (en) 2018-08-21
CA2811386A1 (en) 2012-04-19

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