Researched
Carbon-Fibre Composites
Carbon fibres (PAN-based processes of 1961-63) combined with resin give materials stiffer than steel at a fraction of the weight.
Open in the interactive tree →Shindo in Japan and the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Britain developed polyacrylonitrile-based fibres in the early 1960s, and commercial production followed in the decade after. Carbon composites went into aircraft, racing cars, wind turbine blades and airliner structures.
Prerequisites
- Plastics (Bakelite to Nylon)1907-1953
Unlocks
- Modern Wind Turbines~1980Long rotor blades use carbon-fibre composites
- Electric Air Taxis (eVTOL)2023–2026Electric air taxis rely on light composite airframes