Continuous Fiber Composites (CFC) are segregated based on fiber type, namely glass fiber, carbon fiber, and others. Each of the fiber types are further segregated based on their form structure. Some of the composites are woven fabrics, non-crimp fabrics, unidirectional fiber tapes, and non-woven mats. These continuous fiber composites offer various unique properties such as resistance to corrosion, excessive heat, and extreme temperature, while having high electrical & thermal conductivities, low density, high ductility & strength, lighter weight increased fuel economy, reduction in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, and longer service life thereby, reducing the cost of maintenance. The CFC market for aerospace industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% and 6.9% between 2018 and 2023 in terms of value and volume, respectively.
The report is a compilation of the different segments of the global CFC market, including market breakdown by fiber type, form, resin type, aircraft type, process, application, and geographical areas. Herein the revenue generated from the fiber types(carbon fiber, glass fiber, and others), form(woven fiber, non-crimp fabrics, non-woven mats, and unidirectional tapes), resin type(thermoset and thermoplastics), aircraft type(commercial and military), process( hand and spray layup, resin infusion process, compression molding, injection molding, continuous compression molding, automated fiber placement, automated tape laying, autoclave and others), application(primary structure, secondary structure, aircraft interior, and aircraft engine), and geographies(North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America) are tracked to calculate the overall market size, both in terms of value ($million) and volume (kilotons). While highlighting the key driving and restraining forces for this market, the report also provides a detailed summary of the global CFC market for aerospace industry. It also includes the key participants involved in the industry at the relevant sections.
Key questions answered in the report:
• What was the size, in terms of value ($million) and volume (kilotons) of the CFC market in 2017, and what will be the growth rate during the forecast period, 2018-2023?
• What will be the market size of different fiber types of CFC (by value and volume) and their growth rate during the forecast period, 2018-2023?
• What will be the market size of different fiber types by forms of CFC (by value and volume) and their growth rate during the forecast period, 2018-2023?
• What will be the market size of different resin types of CFC (by value and volume) and their growth rate during the forecast period, 2018-2023?
• What will be the market size of different aircraft types which use CFC (by value and volume) and their growth rate during the forecast period, 2018-2023?
• What will be the market size of different technologies used in the CFC market for aerospace industry (by value and volume) and their growth rate during the forecast period, 2018-2023?
• What will be the market size of different applications in the aerospace industry in terms of usage of CFC (by value and volume) and their growth rate during the forecast period, 2018-2023?
• What will be the market size of honeycomb core panels and other core panels market in the aerospace industry (by value and volume) and their growth rate during the forecast period, 2018-2023?
• How will each of aircraft applications grow in the honeycomb core panels and other core panels in the aerospace industry (by value and volume) and what will be their growth rate during the forecast period, 2018-2023?
• What will be the market size for different regions and countries in terms of value and volume in the CFC market for aerospace industry and their growth across the forecast period, 2018 to 2023?
• What are the major driving forces that tend to increase the demand for CFC market for the aerospace industry during the forecast period?
• What are the major challenges inhibiting the growth of the global CFC market for aerospace industry?
• What is the competitive strength of key players in the global CFC market by analyzing through market share analysis?
• Who are the key market players (suppliers and customers) in the market, along with their detailed analysis & profiles (including their financials, company snapshots, key products & services, and SWOT analysis)?
The report further includes a thorough analysis of the impact of the Porter’s Five major Forces to understand the overall attractiveness of the industry. The most commonly used strategy for developing a better hold on the market has been through business expansions. Moreover, the company profile section highlights significant information about the key companies involved along with their financial positions, key strategies, and developmental activities of recent years.
Further, the report includes an exhaustive analysis of the geographical split into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa, and South America. Each geography details the individual push and pull forces in addition to the key players from that region. This report is a meticulous compilation of research on more than 100 players in the CFC market and draws upon the insights from in-depth interviews with the key opinion leaders of more than 50 leading companies, market participants, and vendors. The report also profiles approximately 15 companies which includes, six raw material providers, and nine end users which are further segmented into tier 1s, tier 2s, and primes.
The raw material providers profiled in the report are Chomarat, Cytec Solvay Group, Gurit Holding AG, Hexcel Corporation, TenCate Advanced Composites, Toray Industries, Inc. The tier 1s users are GKN Plc., Safran SA, and Spirit AeroSystems. The tier 2s users are Honeywell International Inc., and prime end users are Airbus Group, Bombardier Inc., General Dynamics Corporation, Rolls-Royce Holding Plc., and The Boeing Company.
Executive Summary
1 Research Methodology and Scope
1.1 Report Scope
1.2 CFC Market Research Methodology
1.2.1 Assumptions and Limitation
1.2.2 Primary Research
1.2.3 Secondary Research
1.2.4 Data Triangulation
1.2.5 Data Analyzing and Market Estimation
2 Market Dynamics
2.1 Market Drivers
2.2 Market Restraints
2.3 Market Opportunities
3 Industry Analysis
3.1 Market Share Analysis (2017)
3.2 Porter’s Fiver Forces Analysis
3.2.1 Threat of New Entrants
3.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
3.2.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
3.2.4 Threat from Substitutes
3.2.5 Competitive Rivalry
3.3 Opportunity Matrix (by Region)
3.3 Opportunity Matrix (by Country)
3.4 Composite Share in Aircraft
3.5 Competitive Analysis Metals v/s Composites
3.6 Supply Chain
3.7 Key Strategies and Developments
3.7.1 Agreements, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, Contracts, and Partnerships
3.7.2 Business Expansions
3.7.3 New Product Launches
3.7.4 Mergers and Acquisitions
3.7.5 Others
3.8 Research and Development (R&D) Analysis
4 Global Continuous Fiber Composites for the Aerospace Market (by Fiber Type)(2017-2023), (by Value and by Volume)
4.1 Glass Fiber
4.1.1 Woven Fabrics
4.1.2 Non-Crimp Fabrics
4.1.3 Lightly Crimp Fabrics
4.1.4 Unidirectional Tapes
4.1.5 Non-Woven Mats
4.2 Carbon Fiber
4.2.1 Woven Fabrics
4.2.2 Non-Crimp Fabrics
4.2.3 Unidirectional Tapes
4.2.4 Non-Woven Mats
4.3 Others
4.3.1 Woven Fabrics
4.3.2 Non-Crimp Fabrics
4.3.3 Unidirectional Tapes
4.3.4 Non-Woven Mats
5 Global Continuous Fiber Composites for the Aerospace Market (by Resin Type)(2017-2023), (by Value and by Volume)
5.1 Thermoset
5.2 Thermoplastic
6 Global Continuous Fiber Composites for the Aerospace Market (by Aircraft Type)(2017-2023), (by Value and by Volume)
6.1 Commercial Aircraft
6.1.1 Manned
6.1.2 Unmanned
6.2 Military Aircraft
6.2.1 Manned
6.2.2 Unmanned
7 Global Continuous Fiber Composites for the Aerospace Market (by Process)(2017-2023), (by Value and by Volume)
8 Global Continuous Fiber Composites for the Aerospace Market (by Application)(2017-2023), (by Value and by Volume)
8.1 Primary Structure
8.2 Secondary Structure
8.3 Aircraft Interior
8.4 Aircraft Engine
9 Honeycomb Core Panels and Other Core Panels Market in the Aerospace Industry
9.1 Primary Structure
9.2 Secondary Structure
9.3 Interior
9.4 Engines
10 Global Continuous Fiber Composites for the Aerospace Market (by Region)(2017-2023), (by Value and by Volume)
10.1 North America
10.1.1 The U.S.
10.1.2 Canada
10.1.3 Mexico
10.2 Europe
10.2.1 Germany
10.2.2 France
10.2.3 The U.K.
10.2.4 Italy
10.2.5 Spain
10.2.6 The Netherlands
10.2.7 Rest of Europe
10.3 Asia-Pacific
10.3.1 China
10.3.2 Japan
10.3.3 South Korea
10.3.4 India
10.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
10.4 South America
10.4.1 Brazil
10.4.2 Rest of South America
10.5 Middle East and Africa
10.5.1 Saudi Arabia
10.5.2 UAE
10.5.3 Rest of Middle East and Africa
11 Company Profiles
11.1 Raw Material Providers
11.1.1 Chomarat
11.1.2 Cytec Solvay Group
11.1.3 Gurit Holding AG
11.1.4 Hexcel Corporation
11.1.5 TenCate Advanced Composites B.V.
11.1.6 Toray Industries, Inc.
11.2 Tier 1s
11.2.1 GKN Plc.
11.2.2 Safran SA
11.2.3 Spirit AeroSystems
11.3 Tier 2s
11.3.1 Honeywell International Inc.
11.4 Primes
11.4.1 Airbus Group SE
11.4.2 Bombardier Inc.
11.4.3 General Dynamics Corporation
11.4.4 Rolls-Royce Holding Plc.
11.4.5 The Boeing Company
List of Tables
1 Comparison of Composites with Other Lightweight Materials
2 Analyzing Threat of New Entrants: Low to Moderate
3 Analyzing Bargaining Power of Buyers: Moderate to High
4 Analyzing Bargaining Power of Suppliers: Low to Moderate
5 Analyzing Threat from Substitutes: Moderate
6 Analyzing Competitive Rivalry: Moderate to High
7 Agreements, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, Contracts, and Partnerships
8 Business Expansions
9 Product Launches
10 Mergers and Acquisitions
11 Other Developments
12 CFC Market Size (by Fiber Type), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
13 CFC Market Size (by Fiber Type), $Million, 2016 – 2023
14 CFC Market Size, Glass Fiber (by Form), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
15 CFC Market Size, Glass Fiber (by Form), $Million, 2016 – 2023
16 CFC Market Size, Carbon Fiber (by Form), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
17 CFC Market Size, Carbon Fiber (by Form), $Million, 2016 – 2023
18 CFC Market Size, Other Fiber (by Form), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
19 CFC Market Size, Other Fiber (by Form), $Million, 2016 – 2023
20 CFC Market Size (by Resin), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
21 CFC Market Size (by Resin), $Million, 2016 – 2023
22 CFC Market Size (by Thermoset Resin), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
23 CFC Market Size (by Thermoset Resin), $Million, 2016 – 2023
24 CFC Market Size (by Thermoplastic Resin), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
25 CFC Market Size (by Thermoplastic Resin), $Million, 2016 – 2023
26 CFC Market Size (by Aircraft Type), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
27 CFC Market Size (by Aircraft Type), $Million, 2016 – 2023
28 CFC Market Size (by Commercial Aircraft), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
29 CFC Market Size (by Commercial Aircraft), $Million, 2016 – 2023
30 CFC Market Size (by Commercial Manned Aircraft), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
31 CFC Market Size (by Commercial Manned Aircraft), $Million, 2016 – 2023
32 CFC Market Size (by Commercial Unmanned Aircraft), Kilotons, 2016–2023
33 CFC Market Size (by Commercial Unmanned Aircraft), $Million, 2016 – 2023
34 CFC Market Size (by Military Aircraft), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
35 CFC Market Size (by Military Aircraft), $Million, 2016 – 2023
36 CFC Market Size (by Military Manned Aircraft), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
37 CFC Market Size (by Military Manned Aircraft), $Million, 2016 – 2023
38 CFC Market Size (by Military Unmanned Aircraft), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
39 CFC Market Size (by Military Unmanned Aircraft), $Million, 2016 – 2023
40 CFC Market Size (by Process), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
41 CFC Market Size (by Process) $Million, 2016 – 2023
42 CFC Market Size (by Application), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
43 CFC Market Size (by Application), $Million, 2016 – 2023
44 Continuous Fiber Composites Market Size (by Form), Kilotons, 2016 - 2023
45 Continuous Fiber Composites Market Size (by Form), $Million, 2016 - 2023
46 CFC Consumption in Sandwich Panels (by Core Type), Kilotons
47 CFC Consumption in Sandwich Panels (by Core Type), $Million
48 Honeycomb Panels Market Size (by Application), Kilotons, 2016 - 2023
49 Sandwich Panel Market Size (by Application), $Million, 2016 - 2023
50 CFC Market Size (by Region), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
51 CFC Market Size (by Region), $Million, 2016 – 2023
52 CFC Market Size (by North America), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
53 CFC Market Size (by North America), $Million, 2016 – 2023
54 CFC Market Size (by Europe), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
55 CFC Market Size (by Europe), $Million, 2016 – 2023
56 CFC Market Size (by Asia-Pacific), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
57 CFC Market Size (by Asia-Pacific), $Million, 2016 – 2023
58 CFC Market Size (by South America), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
59 CFC Market Size (by South America), $Million, 2016 – 2023
60 CFC Market Size (by Middle East & Africa), Kilotons, 2016 – 2023
61 CFC Market Size (by Middle East & Africa), $Million, 2016 – 2023
List of Figures
1 Global Continuous Fiber Composites Market for Aerospace Industry, 2017, 2018, and 2023
2 Composite Share in Commercial Aircrafts
3 Composite Share in Aircrafts
4 Regional Analysis-CFC Market for Aerospace Industry
5 CFC Market for Aerospace Industry (by Region), 2017 & 2023
6 Top – Down and Bottom - Up Approach
7 Toray Industries Contribution to CO2 Reduction
8 GDP, India ($Billion)
9 GDP, China ($Billion)
10 Market Share Analysis of Key Players in the Global Continuous Fiber Composites Market, 2017
11 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis of Global Continuous Fiber Composites Market
12 Supply Chain Analysis of Continuous Fiber Composites Market
13 Share of Key Market Strategies and Developments
14 Total Number of Strategies and Developments
15 Research and Development (R&D) Analysis
16 Woven Glass Fiber Fabrics Market, $Million
17 Woven Glass Fiber Fabrics Market, Kilotons
18 Non-Crimp Glass Fiber Market, $Million
19 Non-Crimp Glass Fiber Market, Kilotons
20 Lightly Crimp Glass Fiber Tapes Market, $Million
21 Lightly Crimp Glass Fiber Tapes Market, Kilotons
22 Unidirectional Glass Fiber Tapes Market, $Million
23 Unidirectional Glass Fiber Tapes Market, Kilotons
24 Non-Woven Glass Fiber Mats Market, $Million
25 Non-Woven Glass Fiber Mats CFC Market, Kilotons
26 Woven Carbon Fiber Market, $Million
27 Woven Carbon Fiber CFC Market, Kilotons
28 Non-Crimp Carbon Fiber Market, $Million
29 Non-Crimp Carbon Fiber Market, Kilotons
30 Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Tapes Market, $Million
31 Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Tapes Market, Kilotons
32 Non-Woven Carbon Fiber Mats Market, $Million
33 Non-Woven Carbon Fiber Mats Market, Kilotons
34 Woven Fabrics Market, $Million
35 Woven Fabrics Market, Kilotons
36 Non-Crimp Fabrics Market, $Million
37 Non-Crimp Fabrics Market, Kilotons
38 Unidirectional Fiber Tapes CFC Market, $Million
39 Unidirectional Fiber Tapes CFC Market, Kilotons
40 Non-Woven Mats Market, $Million
41 Non-Woven Mats Market, Kilotons
42 Continuous Fiber Composite Market (by Process)
43 Primary Structure CFC Market, $Million
44 Primary Structure CFC Market, Kilotons
45 Secondary Structure CFC Market, $Million
46 Aircraft Interior CFC Market, $Million
47 Aircraft Interior CFC Market, Kilotons
48 Aircraft Engine CFC Market, $Million
49 Aircraft Engine CFC Market, Kilotons
50 Foam Core Structure
51 Honeycomb Core Structure
52 Honeycomb Panels (by Application)
53 The U.S. CFC Market, $Million
54 The U.S. CFC Market, Kilotons
55 Canada CFC Market, $Million
56 Canada CFC Market, Kilotons
57 Mexico CFC Market, $Million
58 Mexico CFC Market, Kilotons
59 Germany CFC Market, $Million
60 Germany CFC Market, Kilotons
61 France CFC Market, $Million
62 France CFC Market, Kilotons
63 The U.K. CFC Market, $Million
64 The U.K. CFC Market, Kilotons
65 Italy CFC Market, $Million
66 Italy CFC Market, Kilotons
67 Spain CFC Market, $Million
68 Spain CFC Market, Kilotons
69 The Netherlands CFC Market, $Million
70 The Netherlands CFC Market, Kilotons
71 Rest-of-Europe CFC Market, $Million
72 Rest-of-Europe CFC Market, Kilotons
73 China CFC Market, $Million
74 China CFC Market, Kilotons
75 Japan CFC Market, $Million
76 Japan CFC Market, Kilotons
77 South Korea CFC Market, $Million
78 South Korea CFC Market, Kilotons
79 India CFC Market, $Million
80 India CFC Market, Kilotons
81 Rest-of-Asia-Pacific CFC Market, $Million
82 Rest-of-Asia-Pacific CFC Market, Kilotons
83 Brazil CFC Market, $Million
84 Brazil CFC Market, Kilotons
85 Rest-of-South America CFC Market, $Million
86 Rest-of-South America CFC Market, Kilotons
87 Saudi Arabia CFC Market, $Million
88 Saudi Arabia CFC Market, Kilotons
89 UAE CFC Market, $Million
90 UAE CFC Market, Kilotons
91 Rest-of-MEA CFC Market, $Million
92 Rest-of-MEA CFC Market, Kilotons
93 Chomarat: Geographic Presence
94 Chomarat: Product Portfolio
95 Chomarat: SWOT Analysis
96 Cytec Solvay Group: Overall Financials: 2015 – 2017
97 Cytec Solvay Group: Geographical Revenue Mix, 2017
98 Cytec Solvay Group: Business Operations Revenue Mix, 2017
99 Cytec Solvay Group: Geographical Presence (2017)
100 Cytec Solvay Group: Product Portfolio
101 Cytec Solvay Group: SWOT Analysis
102 Gurit Holding AG: Overall Financials: 2015-2017
103 Gurit Holding AG: Geographical Revenue Mix, 2017
104 Gurit Holding AG: Business Operations Revenue Mix, 2017
105 Gurit Holding AG: Geographical Presence (2017)
106 Gurit Holding AG: Product Portfolio
107 Gurit Holding AG: SWOT Analysis
108 Hexcel Corporation: Overall Financials, 2015 - 2017
109 Hexcel Corporation: Geographical Revenue Mix, 2017
110 Hexcel Corporation: Business Operations Revenue Mix, 2017
111 Hexcel Corporation: End User Revenue Mix, 2017
112 Hexcel Corporation: Geographical Presence (2017)
113 Hexcel Corporation: Product Portfolio
114 Hexcel Corporation: SWOT Analysis
115 TenCate Advanced Composites BV: Geographic Presence
116 TenCate Advanced Composites BV: Product Portfolio
117 TenCate Advanced Composites BV: SWOT Analysis
118 Toray Industries, Inc.: Overall Financials: 2015 - 2017
119 Toray Industries, Inc.: Geographical Revenue Mix, 2017
120 Toray Industries, Inc.: Business Operations Revenue Mix, 2017
121 Toray Industries, Inc.: Geographical Presence
122 Toray Industries, Inc.: Product Portfolio
123 Toray Industries, Inc.: Global R&D Network
124 Toray Industries, Inc.: SWOT Analysis
125 GKN PLC.: Sourcing of Continuous Fiber Composites
126 GKN PLC.: Overall Financials: 2015-2017
127 GKN PLC.: Applications of Continuous Fiber Composites
128 GKN PLC.: SWOT Analysis
129 Safran SA: Sourcing of Continuous Fiber Composites
130 Safran SA: Overall Financials: 2015-2017
131 Safran SA: SWOT Analysis
132 Spirit AeroSystems: Sourcing of Continuous Fiber Composites
133 Spirit AeroSystems: Overall Financials: 2015-2017
134 Spirit AeroSystems: Applications of Continuous Fiber Composites
135 Spirit AeroSystems: SWOT Analysis
136 Honeywell International Inc.: Overall Financials:2015 - 2018
137 Honeywell International Inc.: SWOT Analysis
138 Airbus Group SE: Sourcing of Continuous Fiber Composites
139 Airbus Group SE: Overall Financials:2015 - 2018
140 Airbus Group SE: Material Usage Per Aircraft
141 Airbus Group SE: Material Mix by Aircraft Model (Percentage)
142 Airbus Group SE: SWOT Analysis
143 Bombardier Inc.: Sourcing of Continuous Fiber Composites
144 Bombardier Inc.: Overall Financials:2015 - 2018
145 Bombardier Inc.: Application of Continuous Fiber Composites
146 Bombardier Inc.: SWOT Analysis
147 General Dynamics Corporation: Overall Financials: 2015 - 2017
148 General Dynamics Corporation: Application of Continuous Fiber Composites
149 General Dynamics Corporation: SWOT Analysis
150 Rolls-Royce Holding Plc.: Sourcing of Continuous Fiber Composites
151 Rolls-Royce Holding Plc.: Overall Financials: 2015 - 2017
152 Rolls-Royce Holding Plc.: Application of Continuous Fiber Composites
153 Rolls-Royce Holding Plc.: SWOT Analysis
154 The Boeing Company: Sourcing of Continuous Fiber Composites
155 The Boeing Company: Overall Financials: 2015 - 2017
156 The Boeing Company: Material Usage Per Aircraft
157 The Boeing Company: Material Mix by Aircraft Model (Percentage)
158 The Boeing Company: SWOT Analysis
Materials have always been an intricate part of any industry, such as construction, marine, and transportation, among others, for more than 100 years. The basic materials used in automotive industry, aerospace & defense industry, wind power industry, and construction industry during the industrial revolution place from the 18th century to 19th century included wood, cast iron, stone, copper, and brick. However, owing to the properties such as low resistance to corrosion, high resistance to heat & extreme temperatures, weak weatherability, and significant maintenance costs, these materials are not preferred which subsequently led to the demand of lightweight materials. The lightweight materials have developed significantly over the past decade, and much has been attributed to the extensive technological advancement in this field. These materials are widely adopted in the developed regions, such as North America and Europe, and are also gaining popularity in the regions such as the Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.
The rapidly growing Continuous Fiber Composites(CFC) market is being driven by a number of potential applications found in the end use industries such as automotive, aerospace & defense, wind energy, construction, sporting goods, and electrical & electronics, among others. Continuous fiber composites are fiber-reinforced polymer composites in which the fiber length is of magnitude larger than the width or the thickness of the composite part. Continuous fiber composites can be thermosetting or thermoplastic depending on the type of resin used. These composites are light in weight and possess the same strength as that of steel. Additionally, they have high fatigue resistance, stiffness retention under repeated loading, and resistance to creep.
Continuous Fiber Composites (CFC) are segregated based on fiber type, namely glass fiber, carbon fiber, and others. Each of the fiber types is further segregated based on their form structure. Composites can be woven fabrics, non-crimp fabrics, unidirectional fiber tapes, and non-woven mats based on their form structure. They offer various unique properties, such as resistance to corrosion, excessive heat, and extreme temperature, while having high electrical and thermal conductivities, low density, high ductility & strength, lighter weight, increased fuel economy, reduction in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, and longer service life thereby, reducing the cost of maintenance.
The never-ending need for the aerospace industry to enhance the performance of commercial and military aircraft is constantly driving the development of improved high-performance structural materials. Composite materials are one such class of materials that play a significant role in current and future aerospace components. Composite materials are particularly attractive to aviation and aerospace applications because of their exceptional strength, stiffness-to-density ratios, and superior physical properties.
The composite materials widely used in the aerospace industry are carbon- and glass-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP and GFRP, respectively) which consist of carbon and glass fibers, both of which are stiff and strong in terms of their density.
FIGURE 1
Global CFC Market for Aerospace Industry Snapshot
Source: Expert Interviews, Secondary Research, and BIS Research Analysis
The global CFC market for the aerospace industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2018 to 2023.
The Use of Composites in Aircraft Design
Initially, composites were used only in secondary structure, but through technological innovation and development of improved materials, their use in primary structures, such as wings and fuselages, has increased. CFC is widely used in the commercial and military aircraft. The use of composite materials in commercial transport aircraft is attractive, owing to the reduced airframe weight which enables better fuel economy and thereby, lowering the operating costs. In 1983, the first significant use of composite material in a commercial aircraft was by Airbus in the rudder of the A300 and A310, and then in 1985 in the vertical tail fin. Later, a honeycomb core with CFRP faceplates was used for the elevator of the A310. Thereafter, composite materials were used for the entire tail structure of the A320, which also featured composite fuselage belly skins, fin/fuselage fairings, fixed leading & trailing-edge bottom access panels and deflectors, trailing-edge flaps & flap-track fairings, spoilers, ailerons, wheel doors, main gear leg fairing doors, and nacelles. Currently, composite materials constitute almost 50% of the Boeing 787, with an average weight savings of 20%.
The excellent strength-to-weight ratio of composites is used in helicopters to maximize payloads and their performance. Boeing Vertol used composites for rotorcraft fairings in the 1950s and made the first composite rotor blades in the 1970s. Composites are used in major structural elements of many modern helicopters, including the V22 tilt-rotor aircraft, which is approximately 50 percent composites by weight. The formability of composites has been used in helicopters so as to reduce the numbers of component parts and therefore cost.
Composites are also extensively used in the military aircraft in the recent years. For instance, composites are widely used in the wing skins, forward fuselage, flaperons, and rudder of military aircraft named, Eurofighter. Toughened epoxy skins constitute about 75 percent of the exterior area. In total, about 40 percent of the structural weight of the Eurofighter is carbon-fiber-reinforced composite material.
Regional Analysis
Europe consumed the largest share of CFC by volume, which was 66.8 kilotons in 2017. The use of woven fabrics, non-crimp fabrics, and glass mat in the aerospace applications resulted in the high-volume consumption of CFC in the region. Additionally, the presence of leading aircraft manufacturers in the European CFC market is expected to increase the demand of CFC in the region. Increasing aircraft production rates of the A350XWB and A320 family including neo versions are likely to boost the demand for continuous fiber composites in the region.
Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region in the CFC market. This is due to the increasing usage of CFC in aircraft for commercial and military purposes and presence of leading players, such as Toray Industries, Inc., and Mitsubishi Rayon Co. Ltd., in the region. Upcoming commercial and regional aircraft (COMAC C919 and Mitsubishi MRJ), and the opening of assembly plants of Boeing and Airbus in China are the major factors driving the demand for continuous fiber composites in the region.
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