Progress in Aircraft Interior Materials and Their Performance

This chapter explores the latest advancements in aerospace engineering materials focused on their applications, modelling approaches, and sustainability considerations. The adoption of advanced composite materials, especially carbon fiber–reinforced plastics (CFRPs), has completely changed aircraft design to present lighter and stronger substitutes for metals. Nanotechnology has helped in the creation of better materials with the ability to have better properties, whereas there has been an increase in the use of environmentally friendly materials that include bio-based composites and recycled alloys. The production of new forms of complex and idealized structures was enabled by novel manufacturing processes, such as additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing, which have made it possible. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) are being increasingly used in the determination of the environmental and cost impacts of the use of materials to support recycled, bio-based, and eco-efficient materials. Sophisticated modelling methods, such as finite element analysis and machine learning, are applied to maximize material properties, structural performance, and sustainability measurements. The shift toward a closed-loop economy is being considered by engaging in recycling technologies and end-of-life strategies. In the future of materials engineering in the aerospace industry, M is transforming it because it will allow complex geometry without wastage, and the use of rare materials, as well as recycled materials, is also possible. Nonetheless, issues of standardization, certification, high-performance, and potential sustainability of feedstocks persist. The harmonization of the latest modelling, machine learning, and decision-support systems enhances the trade-off between cost, performance, and environmental performance and necessitates consistency and cooperation among industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers.