At present, carbon fiber materials are widely used by drone manufacturers worldwide, accounting for 60% to 80% of a drone’s structural composition. These materials are utilized in various parts of drone production and manufacturing, including the fuselage frame, skin, wings and tail, landing gear, rotors and propellers, etc.
1.Fuselage Frame: Carbon fiber composite materials exhibit excellent strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios. Their application in fuselage frames ensures structural integrity while significantly reducing the drone’s weight. This weight reduction is crucial for enhancing flight endurance and performance. When combined with integrated molding techniques, the manufacturing process of drones can be simplified, improving overall structural stability and load capacity.
2.Skin: The drone’s skin protects internal equipment and plays a vital role in aerodynamic performance. Carbon fiber composite skins feature smooth surfaces, precise shapes, and good symmetry, effectively reducing air resistance and boosting flight speed and efficiency. Additionally, carbon fiber skins demonstrate outstanding fatigue resistance and durability, enabling them to withstand long-term flight missions.
3.Wings and Tail: As key components for generating lift and controlling flight attitude, wings and tails have stringent material requirements. The high strength and lightweight properties of carbon fiber composites provide sufficient lift and excellent handling performance. Moreover, the anisotropic nature of carbon fiber allows for tailored mechanical properties in different directions through optimized layer design, enhancing flight stability and maneuverability.
4.Landing Gear: The landing gear is a critical component that must absorb significant impact loads during landing. Carbon fiber composites reduce weight while improving energy absorption and shock resistance through structural designs such as honeycomb sandwich structures. This ensures the safe landing of drones.
5.Rotors and Propellers: For multi-rotor drones, rotors and propellers are essential. Carbon fiber composites enable the production of lightweight yet strong rotors and propellers. By optimizing material formulations and molding processes, air resistance can be minimized, and lift efficiency can be enhanced. The fatigue resistance of carbon fiber composites also ensures stable and reliable drone performance during extended flights.
6.Battery Box and Fuel Tank: Carbon fiber materials are commonly used to manufacture battery boxes and fuel tanks. Their lightweight, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant properties help reduce the overall weight of the drone and ensure the stable operation of these critical components in harsh environments.
7.Connectors: Connectors are essential for linking various components of fixed-wing drones. Carbon fiber composites offer excellent connection properties and can be securely joined to other components using methods such as bolted connections and riveting. This ensures the overall structural stability of the drone.
In summary, carbon fiber materials play a significant role in drone manufacturing. Their widespread application across multiple components not only enhances drone performance but also fosters innovation and development in drone technology. As technology advances and production costs decrease, carbon fiber composites are expected to find even broader applications in the drone industry.
