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It uses a lot more aluminum and the fuselage composition is completely different
In other words, they're done on paper.
Carbon fiber, unlike metal, does not visibly show cracks and fatigue, which has prompted concerns about the safety risks of widespread use of the material the rival Airbus A350 was later announced to be using composite panels on a frame, a more traditional approach, which its contractors regarded as less risky.
In addition, the porous properties of composite materials, which may cause delamination as collected moisture expands with altitude, is a potential issue. Delamination is a mode of failure for composite materials. Modes of failure are also known as 'failure mechanisms'. In laminated materials, repeated cyclic stresses, impact, and so on can cause layers to separate, forming a mica-like structure of separate layers, with significant loss of mechanical toughness.
In comparison, Airbus has increased its use of advanced materials on its A350 to 60 percent (39 percent composite and 21 percent aluminum-lithium alloy). However, in contrast to Boeing, Airbus is using aluminum-lithium for most of the fuselage structure, restricting composites use in fuselage structure fabrication to the rear of the pressure bulkhead and the empennage/vertical tail structure. For Airbus, the primary consideration for this design choice is their belief that there will be less time out of service if aluminum-lithium is used as maintenance teams will be able to use standard repair procedures in an open hangar, while composite repair requires more controlled conditions.
The material distribution on an Airbus aircraft structure predominantly remains on aluminum based alloys. The example on the A380 super sized aircraft shows that 61% of the structure is made of aluminum alloys, 22% in composites, 10% in titanium and steel and 3% in fiber metal laminate. Nevertheless, the use of composite materials is continuously growing and the new A380 contains 22% of composite structures compared to 12% on the A340.
Material breakout on 787
Composites - 50%
Aluminum - 20%
Titanium - 15%
Steel - 10%
Other - 5%
A composite material is a material made up of two or more materials that are combined in a way that allows the materials to stay distinct and identifiable. The purpose of composites is to allow the new material to have strengths from both materials, often times covering the original materials' weaknesses. Composites are different from alloys because alloys are combined in such a way that it is impossible to tell one particle, element, or substance from the other.
The A350 XWB’s major fuselage sections are created by the assembly of four large panels each, which are joined with longitudinal riveted joints. One advantage of this approach is a better management of tolerances when the jetliner’s composite fuselage sections come together on the A350 XWB Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France.
lighter advanced metals are used in the A350 XWB's extra-wide fuselage
The A350 XWB's innovative carbon-fibre reinforced plastic fuselage plus aluminium-lithium and titanium alloy components result in lower fuel consumption and easier maintenance.
reply to post by Zaphod58
I blame the translation of the instructional manual. You know....Lost in Translation. For example.
On Sears hair dryer:
Do not use while sleeping.
On a bag of Fritos:
You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
On a bar of Dial soap:
Directions: Use like regular soap.
On some Swanson frozen dinners:
Serving suggestions: Defrost.
Printed on the bottom of Tesco Tiramisu dessert:
Do not turn upside down.
On Marks and Spencer Bread Pudding:
Product will be hot after heating.
On packaging for a Rowenta iron:
Do not iron clothes on body.
On Boot's Children's Cough Medicine:
Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication.
On Nytol Sleep Aid:
Warning: May cause drowsiness.
On most brands of Christmas lights:
For indoor or outdoor use only.
On a Japanese food processor:
Not to be used for the other use.
On Sainsbury's peanuts:
Warning: Contains nuts.
On an American Airlines packet of nuts:
Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.
On a child's Superman costume:
Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.
On a Swedish chain saw:
Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals.
On a toboggan:
Beware: Sledge may develop high speed under certain snow conditions.
On a knife sharpener:
Caution: knives are sharp.