China’s first wide-body jet to use composites extensively

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), revealed at the recently held 9th Annual Aeronautical Materials and Manufacturing Technology International Forum that its first wide-body aircraft the C929 will use composites for more than half of its structure. This approach aligns with competitors like the Airbus 350 and Boeing 787, which also use composites extensively. According to COMAC, its previous models like the ARJ21 regional jet used about 2 percent composite materials, mainly in the rear and some minor parts. The C919 single-aisle jet increased this use to about 12 percent, focusing on the tail and the rear section of the fuselage. This emphasizes its role in achieving lighter, longer-lasting aircraft and more efficient engines. The two-day annual forum focused on technological innovation in aviation materials for sustainable development. It attracted over 250 experts from the new materials and aviation sectors