Aerospace

• Development and production of a composite assembly for a new Airbus aircraft

• Serial production of engine nacelle components for Airbus aircraft

• Collaborative R&D on EU ALCAS project, led by Airbus UK, involving design manufacture of full-scale thermoplastic composite wing ribs and centre wing-box components. ÉireComposites is responsible for development and manufacturing of thermoplastic composite wingbox structures. CTL is involved in materials characterisation and in structural testing of composite wingbox components.

• Collaborative R&D on EU DINAMIT project, characterising new thermoplastic composites for aircraft components. Other industrial partners include CRC EADS (F), Airbus- F, Airbus-UK, Airbus-D, Dassault (F), Eurocopter (F).

• Coupon and First Part Qualification cut-up testing for numerous aerospace customers throughout Europe

• R&D with European Space Agency and industrial partner to develop and characterise thermoplastic composites for space launcher and satellite applications

ÉireComposites maintains a separate aerospace-accredited manufacturing facility staffed by trained and qualified personnel, with the following equipment:

• 1.5 metre diameter x 3.0 metres long autoclave, 10 bar pressure, 400ºC
• 100 tonne double-daylight press, platen sizes 1.5 metre x 0.5 metre, 450ºC
• Infrared rapid heating system for press-forming of thermoplastic composites
• 80 tonne single-daylight press, platen sizes 1.0 metre x 1.0 metre, 200ºC
• Calibrated aerospace oven, 2.0m x 2.0m x 2.0m, 200 ºC
• 0.6 metre diameter x 1.2 metre experimental autoclave, 20 bar pressure, 450 ºC
• RTM machines - single and multi-part systems, pressure-pot system, up to 120ºC
• Refrigerated store - calibrated to aerospace standards
• Clean room - calibrated to 100K
• Paint booth - calibrated to aerospace standards
• Grit blasting unit - calibrated to aerospace standards
• Non-Destructive Testing Facility:
• 1 m2 Krautkramer Ultrasonic C-scan
• A-scan
• Tap testing
• Level II & level I
• Consultant level III

ÉireComposites also offers an accredited composites testing service for the aerospace industry through its subsidiary company, Composites Testing Laboratory (www.ctlcomposites.com )

Aerospace composites brochure