Technical Evolution of Civil Aircraft Fuselage Structural Materials

Abstract

With the rapid development of aerospace technology, Civil aircraft have increasingly higher requirements for lightweight structures, long service life, and low-cost manufacturing. This article reviews the technological evolution of civil aircraft fuselage structural materials from traditional aluminum alloys to advanced composite materials. The article first reviews the dominant position of aluminum alloys in early fuselage manufacturing and their accompanying riveting processes. Subsequently, the focus was on analyzing the current application status of composite materials represented by carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in mainstream models such as the Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and domestic C919. It explores how material properties drive the transformation of manufacturing processes from traditional subtractive manufacturing to integrated forming manufacturing. Research has found that composite materials have significant advantages in weight reduction and corrosion resistance, but they also face challenges such as complex processes and high costs. The level of automation in the manufacturing process is still a key factor restricting its large-scale application. Finally, this paper looks forward to the development trend of future aircraft manufacturing technology towards intelligence and greenness.