Boeing (with Hexcel)

Sustainable Composite Structures

The aerospace industry is continuously working to find sustainable solutions for composite structures. The integration of bioresource based fibers and resins can be challenging due to the extreme conditions a part is exposed to during use. Boeing and Hexcel are looking for a student team to optimize a composite processing method with a provided fiber and resin system for sustainable composites. Students will work to design a composite processing method to produced standard coupons used to evaluate tensile and shear loads using Hexcel HexPly® low temp Nature Range materials. Coupon level testing will be used to narrow processing methods to achieve desired (given) mechanical properties. A simple structure beam design target (modeled after SAMPE bridges) will be provided for students to process a part. Students will be asked to also provide a brief sustainability assessment using the STEEP (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political) framework on the materials used. Main deliverables: (1) a general processing method to achieve desired coupon level mechanical performance and (2) brief STEEP (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political) assessment on materials and process used. Secondary deliverable is to attempts to produce a simple beam structure.