Many different materials are used when building a helicopter. The body is mainly made from: 路 aluminium 路 composites including carbon fibre Many components, including the engine, contain titanium. Both the engine and gearbox are made from alloys. The rotors contain a plastic / metal / nylon composite foam inner with an aluminium outer. There is a sacrificial erosion strip on the leading edge of the blade.
leading edge
aluminium outer
composite inner
1. For each material used in the construction of the helicopter, research its properties and explain why it is used. material
aluminium
carbon fibre composite
titanium
alloys
reason for use
2. How are rotor blades constructed to make them flexible? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________
3. (a) Explain what is meant by a sacrificial erosion strip. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ (b) What is the advantage of having a plastic sacrificial erosion strip? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________