Not all airplanes are made of aluminum. With its lightweight but strong properties, aluminum is undoubtedly a popular choice of material for airplanes. Manufacturers often use it to make both fuselages and wings. In recent years, however, many manufacturers have transitioned to carbon fiber. You can still find airplanes made of aluminum, but many of them are now made of carbon fiber.

What Is Carbon Fiber?

To better understand why airplanes are made of carbon fiber, you must familiarize yourself with this modern material. Also known as graphite fiber, carbon fiber is defined by its use of thin carbon-based fibers. Each strand of fiber measures about 5 to 10 micrometers in diameter, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye. The fibers are woven or otherwise bound together to create a new material: carbon fiber.

Weight

While carbon fiber is more expensive than aluminum, it has a lighter weight. Carbon fiber, in fact, weighs about 40% less than aluminum. Aluminum is already considered a lightweight material. It’s lighter than steel and many other iron alloys. Carbon fiber, however, is even lighter than aluminum. Carbon fiber’s lightweight properties make it an attractive choice of material for use in airplane fuselages, wings and other structural components.

Strength

Carbon fiber is exceptionally strong. Research shows that carbon fiber’s tensile strength is nearly four times higher than that of aluminum. A higher tensile strength allows for stronger, as well as more durable, airplanes. Airplanes are exposed to powerful forces when flying. Wind resistance, for instance, will act against an airplane’s body while stressing the material from its made. Fortunately, carbon fiber can easily withstand these forces. It’s nearly four times stronger than aluminum, so it won’t succumb to damage.

Corrosion Resistance

Another reason airplanes are made of carbon fiber is because it protects them against corrosion. Aluminum offers a high level of corrosion resistance as well. Since it doesn’t contain iron, aluminum can’t rust. With that said, it can still corrode. Over time, aluminum may corrode from long-term exposure to moisture and the elements. Carbon fiber neither rusts nor corrodes.

In Conclusion

Many aerospace manufacturing companies are now using carbon fiber to build airplanes. Boeing, for example, uses approximately 32 to 35 tons of carbon fiber in each of its 787 jets. Even smaller private jets are now being made of carbon fiber. As revealed here, carbon fiber has become a popular material in the aerospace manufacturing industry because of its strong, lightweight and corrosion resistance properties.