ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MAY 2026 5 RESEARCH TRACKS MOISTURE WEAKENS CARBON FIBER Engineers at Monash University and RMIT University, both in Australia, found that moisture absorption is the most important factor in how carbon fiber used in aircraft degrades over time. They say the discovery could help the aerospace industry predict material aging more accurately, improve aircraft maintenance planning, and design longer-lasting composite structures. Carbon fiber reinforced polymers are widely used in modern aircraft because they are lightweight, extremely strong, and resistant to corrosion, but these materials can slowly absorb moisture from the environment during service, gradually weakening from within. The study investigated how different carbon fiber laminate designs aged under a range of hot and humid environmental conditions. The researchers wanted to understand whether higher temperatures caused different types of damage or whether they simply accelerated the aging process. The results revealed a clear and important finding: The amount of moisture absorbed by the material, rather than the specific temperature or humidity conditions, is the main factor controlling how the material degrades over time. The research also revealed that the internal arrangement of carbon fibers plays a role in how well the material resists environmental damage. Using advanced imaging techniques, the team observed microscopic internal damage forming as the material aged, including tiny voids, cracks, and weakening of the bond between fibers and the surrounding polymer matrix. Some fiber layouts were able to retain their strength well, while others proved significantly more sensitive to moisture-related degradation. monash.edu. PRATT & WHITNEY CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL Pratt & Whitney, headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary, commemorating a century of innovation in aerospace engineering. More than 11,000 employees work at the company’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities, many of whom are graduates of the University of Connecticut (UConn). “UConn Engineering’s partnership with Pratt & Whitney has never been stronger,” says dean JC Zhao, FASM. “We are grateful for the support of Pratt & Whitney to UConn Engineering over the decades.” The Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company was founded in 1925 by Fred- erick Brant Rentschler and George Mead. Pratt’s first engine, completed in late 1925, was named the R-1340 Wasp. After passing its official qualification test, the U.S. Navy ordered 200 of the 425-hp Wasp due to its speed, climb performance, and reliability. Rentschler remained president of Pratt’s parent company United Aircraft Corp., which became United Technologies in 1975, until his passing in 1956. In April 2020, United Technologies merged with Raytheon and became RTX Corp. RTX consists of Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, and Raytheon. Today, Pratt has 90,000 engines in service on 500 unique aircraft types. In addition to providing scholarships, professorships, and supporting senior design projects, Pratt & Whitney accepts 20 to 30 UConn engineering interns every year. After commencement, most of them are hired by Pratt. More than 2200 UConn alums work for the company and roughly 21% of all Pratt & Whitney engineers in the United States are UConn alums, representing more than any other university across the country. “We look forward to another century of partnership with Pratt & Whitney,” says Zhao. “We are here to support the aerospace and aviation industry in Connecticut with our talent pool and technological innovations.” uconn.edu. Carbon fiber reinforced polymers can slowly absorb moisture from the environment during service. Pratt & Whitney recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary.
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