Dow-United Technologies Composites (Dow-UT) has developed a technique for producing turbofan thrust-reverser cascades using resin-transfer moulding of braided composites. The resulting parts, the company says, are lighter and more durable than conventional multi-part cascades assembled from aluminium or magnesium castings.
Dow-UT says that metal cascades, which divert fan airflow to reverse thrust, are comparatively heavy and susceptible to fatigue failure at critical joints. The carbonfibre-composite cascades are substantially stronger at the joints, the company says, and are manufactured as a single component, reducing assembly requirements.
Wallingford, Connecticut-based Dow-UT, meanwhile, has created an Internet website which will allow customers to monitor the manufacture of their orders in real time. The company believes that the link will help customers reduce costs by providing direct access to Dow-UT's internal computer systems to place orders, transfer engineering data and monitor manufacturing progress electronically.
Source: Flight International
