Carbon fiber composites used in military equipment

Carbon fiber composite materials can be used in military equipment carbon fiber "external soft, internal rigid", not only has the essential characteristics of carbon materials, but also has the softness and processability of textile fibers, is a new generation of high-performance reinforcing fiber. Several times thinner than the hair of carbon fiber and resin, carbon, ceramics, metal and other matrix, after a special composite molding process, you can get excellent performance of carbon fiber composites, can be widely used in aviation, aerospace, energy, transportation, military equipment and many other fields, is an important material for national defense and civilian production and life.

According to reports, carbon fiber looks simple, but its manufacturing process is very complex, is a set of multidisciplinary, refined, highly sophisticated technology in one of the system engineering, involving chemical, textile, materials, precision machinery and other multidisciplinary fields, the whole process contains temperature and humidity, concentration, viscosity, flow and other thousands of parameters of high-precision control, the slightest inadvertence will seriously affect the performance of carbon fiber and quality stability, so far from the general The process is far from ordinary technology.

Foreign media reported that the proud F-35 fighter jet first flight time pushed back again and again, one of the very important reason, is overweight. To crack this problem, the company took a lot of approaches, and finally the use of up to 35% of the carbon fiber composite material to significantly reduce the weight of the airframe. So in a sense, it is the carbon fiber composites that made the F-35 fighter aircraft.

Nowadays, carbon fiber composites have not only become a fundamental material indispensable for achieving high stealth performance, but also become an important symbol for measuring the advanced performance of weapons and equipment systems. For example, as many aircraft apply a higher proportion of carbon fiber composite materials, making its payload, range and survivability have achieved a new breakthrough.

One of the biggest features of the current F-22 fighter is good stealth performance, which is closely related to its extensive use of carbon fiber composites. In addition, other fighter jets, such as the use of carbon fiber absorbing materials, including the Swedish patrol ship hull with all composite materials, thus having a high stealth, high mobility, long life and other advanced combat performance.

The development of the aerospace field is even more every cent. For example, for every 1 kg reduction in the mass of a solid rocket motor, the range can be increased by 16 km. Therefore, carbon fiber composite materials are used in large quantities in the United States missiles and other engine shells, the future carbon fiber is the development of miniaturization, high mobility, high precision, high sudden defense capability of advanced strategic weapons and equipment is an important basis.

New high-performance carbon fiber composites, with better stability and reliability, are now used in a large number of hypersonic vehicles, the International Space Station, advanced satellite and other equipment systems. The U.S. Department of Defense in the "21st century defense needs of materials research" report stressed that "by 2020, only composite materials have the potential to make equipment to obtain a 20-25% performance improvement.

The development of modern weapons and equipment, stealth, low energy consumption, high mobility, large loads and other trends are highlighted, the performance of carbon fiber and composite materials are increasingly demanding. Therefore, the development of higher strength, higher modulus carbon fiber and the matching high-performance combat system has become the main focus of the military powers to compete for cutting-edge strength. At present, developed countries are focusing on three directions: carbon fiber, advanced resin and manufacturing technology.

At present, carbon fiber tensile strength and modulus in theory and in the laboratory, there is a huge potential and space for improvement, and thus the battle is in full swing.

In the field of resin research, the focus is on the development of high tenacity thermosetting resins that can increase the long-lasting temperature of weaponry components and improve toughness, processability and resistance to humidity and heat. And the development of thermoplastic resins can significantly improve the impact toughness and fatigue damage resistance of weapons and equipment.

Modern advanced automated manufacturing technology, can realize the three-dimensional model of components to manufacturing integration, suitable for manufacturing large size and complex structural parts, can effectively improve the quality and reliability of equipment and reduce costs, thus promoting the better development of national defense industry.

In recent years, in order to meet the development needs of China's national defense construction, carbon fiber and its composite materials have been listed as the key national support projects. Experts believe that the future of the construction of a complete and independent high-level industrial chain, efforts to the national security interests of the core technology really in their own hands, is the way to achieve the Chinese dream of a strong military.