Development and Performance of Kevlar Composites for Aerospace Applications

The advanced performance, safety, and reliability of the spacecraft and aircraft are made possible by aerospace materials. This chapter gives a detailed overview of aerospace materials, such as Kevlar composite and ceramics, and places emphasis on the mechanical, thermal, and environmental performances of these materials. The discussion stresses the high ratio of strength to weight, thermal stability, fatigue strength, and impact absorption in the accomplishment of aerospace design requirements. Kevlar composites have high energy absorption, toughness, and impact resistance, especially in protective structures and hybrid laminate shapes. However, ceramics also do well in severe thermodynamic conditions and provide thermal stability and chemical insulation fired by turbines and thermal-resistant systems. A comparative study reveals that Kevlar composites are best suited for lightweight impact resistance. However, when high-temperature performance is considered, ceramics demonstrate superior capabilities. Further potential of aerospace material is increasing due to progress made in hybrid materials, additive manufacturing, and nanostructured reinforcements. This review presents the state-of-the-art, unsolved issues, and future trends in the development of the integration of advanced materials in the field of aerospace engineering.