Repair of Composite Aero-Structures

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the use of composite materials has sharply increased. Properties such as high strength to weight and stiffness to weight ratios and high corrosion resistance as well as the flexibility they offer in design render composite materials necessary in aeronautics. In cases of failure, the replacement of composite components is extremely costly and thus repairing them is preferred. In the aviation industry, bonded repairs are dominant because they ensure improved load transfer and joint efficiency. However, FAA regulations permit the application of bonded joints only in secondary components and some of the primary structures of an aircraft. The need to reduce maintenance and repair costs is a driving force for the approval and implementation of bonded joints in more of the primary structures of an airplane. Hence, the optimization of bonded repairs as well as the development of proper non-destructive techniques to determine the structural reliability of these joints are two major issues that concern the aviation industry.

In this regard, the main aim of this Special Issue is to present a collection of investigations focused on methods for repairing composite materials, the procedures followed during repair, and the factors determining the final mechanical properties of the repaired component. Aspects that will be included are non-destructive testing (NDT) damage identification, damage categorization, types of repair of the composite, surface treatment, application of the repair patch, and the curing of the patch. In this Special Issue, several scientific challenges and opportunities will be identified in order to develop and design cost-effective and certifiable composite repair technologies, including monitoring and automation of repairs.

Prof. Vasilis Kostopoulos
Dr. Spyridon Psarras
Guest Editors

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