Tag: carbon fibre

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Video answers: ‘Airbus’ carbon fibre production in Spain’

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. 700 staff members work there.
  2. They have to work quickly because if they don’t the carbon fibre will perish in 200 hours.
  3. It’s placed into one of their pressurised ovens, to be transformed into a light, strong part necessary for building a plane.
  4. On the A320, less than 10% of the aircraft structure was made of carbon fibre, on the A350 that number has increased to 53%.
  5. The modern machinery can produce around 11 times the quantity that a human could produce. (33 / 34kg vs 3kg)
  6. Carbon fibre is stronger, lighter and doesn’t suffer from corrosion or metal fatigue, so planes can carry more passengers and companies spend less on maintenance.

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Video: ‘Airbus’ carbon fibre production in Spain’

Fly High English - Video

Here’s a video that talks about Airbus’ carbon fibre production plant in Illescas, Spain. It has developed a lot in 25 years and you can find out exactly how things have changed, and more, in the video.

Try to answer the following questions about the video and come back on Monday for the answers.

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. How many people work at the plant in Illescas?
  2. Why do they have to work quickly when the raw carbon fibre arrives?
  3. What happens to the carbon fibre after it’s been shaped?
  4. How has the use of carbon fibre increased since the development of the A320?
  5. How much carbon fibre can the modern machinery produce nowadays per hour in comparison to what humans were able to produce?
  6. What are the advantages of carbon fibre compared to aluminium?

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Have a great weekend!!

25 years of carbon fiber production at Airbus Illescas plant

25 years ago Airbus began using carbon fiber on its aircraft. The ratio of the material used has grown from less than 10% on the A320 to more than 50% today. The Illescas plant just outside Madrid is a world leader in carbon fiber manufacturing and continues to innovate and look for new solutions to provide lighter aircraft for the future.