From steel to plastic
Description
Of the enormous technological developments of the 20th century, aviation technology is one of the most striking. If at the beginning of the century we started with small air jumps in fragile aircraft made of tube, wire and cloth, by the end of the same century we were able to transport large groups of people comfortably over long distances.
The rapid development can also be seen in the materials used for aircraft: at the beginning steel frames and wires, cloth and wood, by the end of the century a multitude of different materials such as fibre-reinforced plastics, and alloys of aluminium and titanium.
This lecture will outline the developments in aviation based on the materials used. It will also consider why other or new materials are needed. Well-known aircraft types such as the Wright Flyer, the Fokker VII and others will be used to illustrate certain developments and the reasons behind them.
10.30 h Reception with coffee
11.00 h Lecture "From steel to plastic, use of materials during the history of aviation" by ir. J. Sinke
11.45 h Break
12.15 h Continuation of the lecture with a concluding discussion
12.45 h End of the meeting
Speaker(s)
Jos Sinke is associate professor at TU Delft's Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. He studied here and joined the "Design, Manufacturing and Materials" group after graduation. That naming, since replaced by others, is typical of his approach to materials and structures in aircraft: these three entities can only be studied in conjunction. His specialisation is in manufacturing technology.
He has been closely involved in the development of GLARE, a fibre-metal laminate, which flies on the Airbus 380. He is currently engaged in the further development of these hybrid materials and fibre-reinforced thermoplastics, a new development in aviation.
Besides lecturing and supervising graduate students and PhD students, he is also head of the faculty's Structures and Materials Laboratory.
Mr Sinke is a member of the board of Histechnica
Location
Science Centre, Mijnbouwstraat 120,
2628 RX Delft
Organiser
History of Technology
Histechnica
Name and contact details for information
Further information from L.A. Hissink at the e-mail address below.