Key engineering materials · 2011 · 58 citations · 20 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceAerospace MaterialsBiomaterialsStructural MaterialsBio-based MaterialsComposite Aircraft StructuresComposite BiomaterialsComposite MaterialsFiber PropertiesNatural BiomaterialsAerospace ApplicationsBamboo FibersBiodegradable MaterialsDielectric ConstantFibersKenaf FibersNatural Fiber MaterialsToughness
Aircraft radomes protect radar antennas from aerodynamic loading, weather, and bird strikes, requiring low dielectric constant and high toughness, and while high‑strength fibers have been traditionally used, the demand for biodegradable materials has spurred interest in natural fibers with comparable mechanical properties. This preliminary review evaluates biocomposite materials for potential use in aircraft radome applications. The review examines five locally sourced natural fibers—bamboo, banana, kenaf, oil palm, and pineapple leaf fiber—for their suitability as radome constituents.
An aircraft radome usually refer to radar transparent, dome-shape structures which protects radar antennas on aircraft from aerodynamic loading, weather as well as impacts from bird strikes. Materials that are used for small aircraft radome usually have low dielectric constant and high toughness. Current composite material using high strength fibers such as glass fiber, carbon and aramid are commonly used in aerospace structures. However, the need for biodegradable materials has prompted the usage of natural fibers. Natural fibers have comparable mechanical properties such as low weight, low cost, renewable and biodegradable. In this preliminary work, comprehensive reviews of biocomposites materials are discussed in term of their properties for the purpose of evaluation for aircraft radome application. The present review will cover five local natural fibers namely bamboo, banana, kenaf, oil palm and pineapple leaf fiber.
20