Composites – design, manufacturing, and other issues: a view towards the future

In this paper we take an overall view of composites, and try to identify the key factors that will affect their growth and competitiveness in the next decade. The paper has been written to discuss provocative issues, and, it is hoped, stimulate discussion in areas critical to the future of composites, rather than to provide answers to specifics. We examine composites from the vantage points of the following critical issues: design, manufacturing, materials characterization and data standards, environmental issues, and education and information needs. Clearly, the full benefits of composite materials have yet to be realized. The next 25 years hold the promise of new fibres and matrix materials with improved stiffness and strength, lower cost and improved processability. Prospects for expanded integration of engineering design and manufacturing will enhance the quality of composite structures and lead to reductions in acquisition and life cycle costs. The challenge facing composites technology is to expand the use of composite materials not only in primary aerospace vehicle structures, but also to non–aerospace applications, and to develop improved materials, design concepts, processing, and manufacturing technology to achieve the full potential of advanced composite materials.