El 13 de agosto de 2024, Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. anunció que su línea de producción de fibra de carbono Torayca T1100 se puso en funcionamiento en su planta de Decatur en Alabama, EE. UU. Esta línea de producción respaldará plenamente la investigación, el desarrollo y la fabricación de componentes clave para el proyecto Futuro Avión de Asalto de Largo Alcance (FLRAA) del Ejército de EE. UU. FLRAA también se ha convertido en el primer proyecto de aviación militar informado públicamente en seleccionar definitivamente la fibra de carbono T1100 de Toray.

Con los continuos avances tecnológicos, el desarrollo y la aplicación de nuevos materiales están desempeñando un papel cada vez más importante en la industria de defensa. Los compuestos de fibra de carbono, con su rendimiento superior, se han convertido en uno de los materiales más destacados del sector militar. Ofrecen alta resistencia, alto módulo, baja densidad, resistencia a la corrosión y resistencia a la fatiga, lo que los hace indispensables para mejorar el rendimiento del equipo militar, reducir costos y mejorar la efectividad en el combate.

Este artículo proporcionará una introducción detallada a las principales aplicaciones de los compuestos de fibra de carbono en el sector de defensa terrestre.

Parte 1:

Características y aplicaciones de los compuestos de fibra de carbono.

Alta resistencia y alto módulo
Los compuestos de fibra de carbono poseen una resistencia y un módulo que superan con creces los de los materiales metálicos tradicionales como el acero y el aluminio. Esto permite una reducción significativa en el peso del equipo al tiempo que garantiza la resistencia estructural. Por ejemplo, el avión de combate estadounidense F-22 utiliza compuestos de fibra de carbono en ciertas estructuras clave, lo que reduce efectivamente el peso total del avión y al mismo tiempo mantiene la resistencia de la estructura, mejorando así el rendimiento de vuelo y la maniobrabilidad.

Baja densidad

La densidad de los compuestos de fibra de carbono es sólo aproximadamente una cuarta parte de la del acero y aproximadamente la mitad de la del aluminio. Esto le otorga una ventaja significativa en la reducción de peso, particularmente para armamento y equipos que requieren alta movilidad y capacidades operativas de largo alcance. Por ejemplo, el avión de transporte militar europeo A400M utiliza ampliamente compuestos de fibra de carbono en la estructura de su fuselaje, lo que reduce significativamente el peso del avión en comparación con las estructuras metálicas tradicionales, aumentando así su capacidad de carga útil y su alcance.

Resistencia a la corrosión

Los compuestos de fibra de carbono tienen una excelente resistencia a la corrosión, lo que les permite usarse durante períodos prolongados en entornos hostiles. Esto es especialmente importante para los equipos militares que operan con frecuencia en entornos como océanos y desiertos. Por ejemplo, algunos buques de la Marina de los EE. UU. utilizan compuestos de fibra de carbono en áreas clave, resistiendo eficazmente la corrosión del agua de mar y reduciendo los costos de mantenimiento.

Resistencia a la fatiga

Carbon fiber composites exhibit excellent fatigue resistance, meaning they can withstand long-term cyclic loading without experiencing fatigue failure. This is crucial for aircraft that require frequent takeoffs and landings, high-speed flights, and for ships that endure prolonged maritime operations. For example, the Boeing 787 commercial aircraft extensively uses carbon fiber composites, demonstrating outstanding fatigue resistance in long-term commercial service. This experience has also provided valuable insights for the design and application of military aircraft.

Part 2:

Application of Carbon Fiber Composites in Military Aircraft

Reducing Weight to Improve Performance
For military aircraft, reducing weight is key to enhancing performance.  In supersonic aircraft, such as the J-20 and F-35, reducing weight by just 1 kilogram can not only bring economic benefits of several thousand dollars but also improve the aircraft's maneuverability, giving it a significant advantage on the battlefield. By using carbon fiber composites, the weight of the J-20's airframe is reduced by approximately 9% compared to using aluminum alloy materials. This weight reduction greatly contributes to improving the aircraft's maneuverability and endurance. The U.S. F-35 fighter jet uses about 35% carbon fiber composites, effectively reducing the airframe's weight, improving fuel efficiency, and increasing its combat radius.

Increasing Structural Strength
The structural strength of carbon fiber is very high, allowing the aircraft's airframe to be both lightweight and robust. Advanced large aircraft and fighter jets can extensively use carbon fiber composites. For example, the Eurofighter Typhoon's airframe surface is already composed of 70% carbon fiber composites. In practical applications, carbon fiber composites can withstand the aerodynamic forces and maneuvering loads during high-speed flight, ensuring the structural safety of the aircraft.

Reducing Maintenance Costs
Fighter jets often operate in coastal areas where the air contains high levels of salt, which can easily corrode traditional metal materials, leading to high maintenance costs. However, carbon fiber composites have strong corrosion resistance and are unaffected by the salt content in the air, making the aircraft less prone to corrosion and thus reducing maintenance expenses. For instance, France's Rafale fighter jet uses carbon fiber composites in areas that are particularly susceptible to corrosion, which has reduced the frequency and cost of maintenance.

Stealth Capabilities
Through carbon fiber modification or the addition of special substances, carbon fiber composites can also enhance stealth capabilities. Specially treated carbon fiber composites can absorb radar waves, reducing radar wave reflection and thus decreasing the likelihood of detection by radar. Russia's Su-57 fighter jet uses stealth-capable carbon fiber composites in some parts of its airframe, enhancing the aircraft's stealth capabilities.

Sweden's Gripen fighter jet is primarily composed of carbon fiber composite structures, accounting for 25% of the airframe's weight, and also uses fiberglass composites and aramid fiber composites. While its design is not as stealth-oriented as some other fourth-generation fighters, the jet's small size and reduced feature inlets lower its overall radar cross-section.

Part 3:

Application of Carbon Fiber Composites in Military Missiles

Warheads and Nozzles
The strong yet lightweight characteristics of carbon fiber composites make them highly desirable in the missile field. Initially, they were primarily used in the warhead sections and solid rocket motor nozzles of missiles. This not only saves weight and reduces costs but also increases the missile's structural strength, extends its range, and improves targeting accuracy.

China's famous Dongfeng-31 missile uses a carbon fiber composite warhead shell to improve missile performance by reducing the weight of the warhead, thereby enhancing its range and accuracy. In the Dongfeng-41 missile, the proportion of carbon fiber composites used is significantly increased, with the missile's outer shell also switched to carbon fiber composites, which further enhances performance, extending its range, allowing it to carry more warheads, and improving accuracy.

The U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile uses carbon fiber composites in the warhead and nozzle sections, improving its performance and combat effectiveness.


Rocket Shells and Launch Tubes
In addition to warheads and nozzles, rocket shells and launch tubes are also starting to use carbon fiber composites. China's Dongfeng-31 missile utilizes a carbon fiber composite warhead shell, and in the Dongfeng-41 missile, the proportion of carbon fiber composites is significantly increased, with the outer shell also switched to carbon fiber composites, leading to enhanced performance, longer range, the ability to carry more warheads, and improved accuracy.

Submarine-Launched and Air-Launched Missiles
Submarine-launched missiles and air-launched missiles are even more sensitive to missile weight, leading to a higher proportion of carbon fiber composites being used. By reducing the weight of air-launched missiles, aircraft can carry more missiles, reducing the aircraft's load, and increasing the missile's range and accuracy. For example, France's Exocet anti-ship missile uses carbon fiber composites in some of its structures, enhancing the missile's performance and compatibility.

Part 4:

Application of Carbon Fiber Composites in Drones

Drones are highly sensitive to weight and cost, and the use of carbon fiber composites can bring significant economic benefits and performance improvements. The U.S. Global Hawk drone has a carbon fiber composite usage rate of up to 65%. China's Cloud Shadow drone uses carbon fiber composites in 60% of its structure, while the U.S. Predator and Shadow drones have composite material usage rates exceeding 90%. Similarly, China's Rainbow drone has a composite material usage rate of over 80%.

Extensive use of carbon fiber composites in drones can reduce airframe weight, improve endurance, and increase payload capacity. For example, Israel's Heron drone uses carbon fiber composites to construct its airframe, giving it long endurance and high payload capabilities, which have proven to be highly effective in reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

Part 5:
Application of Carbon Fiber Composites in Graphite Bombs

During the Iraq War, graphite bombs garnered significant attention. The fine filaments released by these bombs are made from highly conductive carbon fiber, which can be specially modified to enhance their conductivity. After exploding, these carbon fiber filaments can drape over power lines, causing short circuits and leading to local power grid failure. Once the power grid is disrupted, local communications, lighting, and production are all affected, and recovery is difficult in a short time. For example, during the Kosovo War, NATO forces used graphite bombs to attack the power infrastructure of Yugoslavia, resulting in widespread blackouts and severely impacting the country's war capabilities.


Part 6:
Application of Carbon Fiber Composites in Specialized Protective Gear

Bulletproof Vests
Although the current mainstream bulletproof vests are not made from carbon fiber materials, the declining production costs of carbon fiber make its superior performance increasingly attractive. Carbon fiber can be used as fabric for bulletproof vests, offering advantages such as lightweight, high structural strength, and good thermal conductivity. When a bullet strikes the vest, the material can quickly disperse the force and conduct heat, reducing localized damage. Carbon fiber composites can also be used as core materials for bulletproof vests, such as protective plates and bulletproof helmets. For example, some special forces have begun testing bulletproof vests and helmets made from carbon fiber composites, which reduce the soldiers' load while maintaining protective performance, thereby enhancing their mobility.

Thermal Protective Clothing
Combining carbon fiber with aerogel materials can produce highly effective thermal protective clothing, protecting soldiers in high-temperature environments and improving their survival chances in fires. Carbon fiber itself has good thermal conductivity, which helps disperse heat and prevents localized overheating, while aerogels can effectively insulate against heat. For instance, in firefighting and emergency rescue, thermal protective clothing made from carbon fiber composites is already being used to provide better protection for rescue personnel.

Electromagnetic Protective Clothing
Carbon fiber inherently has good conductivity, which allows it to shield against electromagnetic waves. To enhance the shielding effect, special components are often added to the carbon fiber, significantly improving its ability to protect against electromagnetic radiation and preventing harm to soldiers. For example, in electronic warfare and communications, soldiers need to wear electromagnetic protective clothing to shield themselves from electromagnetic radiation.


Part 7:

Development Trends of Carbon Fiber Composites in the Military Industry

Expanding Application Range
With continuous technological advancements, the application range of carbon fiber composites in the military field is expected to broaden. In addition to military aircraft, missiles, drones, and specialized protective clothing, future applications will include naval vessels, tanks, and armored vehicles. For instance, some new naval vessels are starting to use carbon fiber composites in their superstructures to lower the center of gravity, improve stability, and enhance stealth capabilities.

Increasing Performance
Ongoing improvements in the manufacturing processes and performance of carbon fiber composites will enhance their strength, modulus, corrosion resistance, and fatigue resistance to meet higher military demands. Additionally, new carbon fiber composites with specialized functions, such as self-healing and intelligent sensing, are being developed. For example, researchers are exploring carbon fiber composites with self-healing capabilities, allowing materials to automatically repair themselves when damaged, thus increasing the reliability and lifespan of equipment.

Decreasing Costs
As carbon fiber production technology matures and achieves economies of scale, costs will continue to decrease. This will enable more weaponry and equipment to incorporate carbon fiber composites, enhancing performance and combat effectiveness. For example, with advancements in carbon fiber production technology, the price of carbon fiber is gradually falling, creating conditions for the widespread application of carbon fiber composites in the military industry.

Conclusion
Los compuestos de fibra de carbono desempeñan un papel crucial en la industria militar debido a su rendimiento excepcional. Sus aplicaciones en aviones militares, misiles, drones, bombas de grafito y ropa protectora especializada han mejorado el rendimiento del armamento, han reducido costos y han mejorado la efectividad en el combate. Se cree que los compuestos de fibra de carbono desempeñarán un papel aún más importante en el campo militar en el futuro.