Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
justloveplanes wrote:Boeing having made the decision to stick with an Al fuselage and Al/Ti wingbox, what weight penalty did this incur versus a all composite (787 type) design? Why not Al/Li fuselage?
Ivan
RJMAZ wrote:This metal grid acts as a sensor to detect internal delamination and has some other purposes. The wings aren't deemed as critical in terms of cracking so they can wait until normal inspection methods.
justloveplanes wrote:Boeing having made the decision to stick with an Al fuselage and Al/Ti wingbox, what weight penalty did this incur versus a all composite (787 type) design? Why not Al/Li fuselage?
Ivan
VSMUT wrote:justloveplanes wrote:Boeing having made the decision to stick with an Al fuselage and Al/Ti wingbox, what weight penalty did this incur versus a all composite (787 type) design? Why not Al/Li fuselage?
Ivan
Composites are "better" than Al/Li, but you can't just replace aluminum with composites. The two materials have very difference qualities, and the fuselage design with stringers and ribs would have to be drastically changed. The 777X is an attempt at a cheaper upgrade of the 777, rather than an expensive all-out 777 replacement. Had they gone with a clean-sheet replacement, you can be 99% sure that it would've been composite.