Aerospace Industry is Major Focus of Composites Research in Japan
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Aerospace Industry is Major Focus of Composites Research in Japan The Japanese hâve targeted aerospace technology as a key area for development, according to a U.S. team studying the state-of-the-art of complex composite materials in Japan. The team presented an intérim assessment of its findings at the National Science Foundation March 27. The study is going through an open comment period befpre a final report is completed under the aegis of the NSF-led Japanese Technology Evaluation Center (JTEC). R. Judd Diefendorf, the panel's chairman and a professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, enumerated the complex composite materials of interest in Japan: high-performance ceramic and graphite fibers, métal and intermetallic matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, and carbon/carbon composites. Last year, MITI began a program for high-performance materials for severe environments that js to run through 1996, and also developed a séries of collaborations with regard to it, said Diefendorf. The goal for carbon/carbon composites is to reach 2000°C. Goals for intermetallics involving molybdenum, niobium and fitanium-aluminum span performance at greater than 1100°C and also up to 1800°C. One conclusion at this point, Diefendorf told the briefing, is that "Japan exports products and we export technology." "There are fewer technicians in Japan, since they do more of the work themselves," he said. During its five-day tour of Japan, the team found a highly direçted, aggressive program for high-performance composites, featuring focus or "thrust" areas. Aerospace, one such thrust area, seems particularly suited to Japan's skills in innovation, since in many cases the market does not hâve to be developed but the materials do hâve to be improved. Reasons for selecting the aerospace thrust include the
décline in some major Japanese markets, such as consumer electronics, and the need for a major new area to maintain the standard of living there. The sélection should be of serious concern to the United States, since the U.S. aircraft business is a pivotai contributor to the international balance of payments. A principal emphasis in Japan is the development of large-scale super/hypersonic engine technology by 1996. The study team found that high-performance composites will control advanced aircraft competitiveness, with fibers and fabrication being the key factors and cost réduction a key criterion. The Japanese are very excited about the "space" component of aerospace and hâve planned "major activities," Diefendorf found. "They want to get into space on their own." One viewgraph of Japan's 21st century space activities presented by Diefendorf showed many of the same features as the U.S. program—a space station, space plane, space télescope, accompanying satellites, etc. And at least one space factory is also on the drawing bqard. Japan hopes to complète a national aerospace plane by the mid-1990s. The challenge in designing materials for space lies in having strong, structural components that are light enough to fly, avoiding
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