Long Term Behaviour of Glare

Aircraft are operated in a wide variety of environments, for periods of up to 30 years. In order to maintain safe and economical travel, it is necessary to have good knowledge of the long-term behaviour of the materials that an aircraft are built of. Over longer periods of time, one of the main threats to materials is the influence of the environment, especially that of moisture combined with temperature. The combination of materials used in Glare complicates the long-term behaviour. By investigating environmental influences on each of the different components of Glare, a basic understanding of the effects on the laminate as a whole can be obtained. In most cases, the laminated build-up has a positive effect on the environmental durability of Glare, but care needs to be taken in areas of combined moisture absorption, stress concentrations and elevated temperature.