Since 2012, aircraft operators have been required to comply with the European emissions trading scheme. This has a direct impact on bottom line as there are financial penalties or the need to procure allowances if emission targets are likely to be exceeded. 

The two main ways to lower emissions are decreasing the overall fuel burnt by reducing aircraft weight or increasing engine efficiency by running at higher temperatures. Fuel costs are the largest operating expense for an airline so there is an additional economic driver for reducing use. From an airframe perspective, the priority is lightweight yet high strength. Materials used in engines need to be capable of operating at very high temperatures over 1,300°C. Both pose challenges for manufacturers as they seek alternatives to traditional materials used in aircraft.

We link fundamental materials research with aerospace manufacturing to develop novel technologies and improve existing technology performance. Current areas of research include:

  • Composite Materials – low cost manufacturing processes for advanced composite structures; research in materials science of polymer composites focused on improving the mechanical performance of polymer matrix composites; process modelling to optimise composite performance.

  • Metallic Materials – lightweight metallic structures; metal matrix composites; titanium alloys and intermetallics; coatings to protect titanium intermetallic alloys.

  • Welding and Joining - additive manufacture, laser processing, residual stress control, aluminium welding.

  • Coatings Technology – metallic and intermetallic corrosion protection coatings; environmental barriers; ceramics and cermets; polymeric coatings, including paint; wear protection; sensor coating materials, optical thin films, thin film ionic conductors, including conducting layers on plastics.

  • High Temperature Surface Engineering – coatings resistant to oxidation and hot corrosion; thermal barrier coatings; designing, testing and analysing coatings/surface treatments, especially for components subjected to extreme and hostile environments.

  • Damage Tolerance - bonded crack retarders; fatigue and fracture; fault detection and monitoring; through-life engineering.

Our research partners include projects for Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Engineering Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Innovate UK.

Our business clients include Airbus, AugustaWestland, BAE Systems, Boeing, EADS, Astrium, GKN Aerospace, Marshall Aerospace, MTU Aero Engines, Rolls Royce and Siemens.

We work with a number of supply chain companies with interests related to aerospace for instance monitor coatings, diffusion alloys and indestructible paints. Companies include Praxair, Teer Coatings Ltd, Oerlikon Balzers and Turbomeca.

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