Materials Selection for Sustainable Executive Aircraft Interiors

This study proposes a methodological guide to explore and select materials for executive aircraft interiors, contributing toward a perspective of materials requirements, indicators and strategies to design more environmentally sustainable products. This was motivated by the signs from the aviation industry to reduce its environmental impact and the permanent need to push for cost efficiency. The guide includes a schedule framework of materials requirements for sustainable design, and also aeronautical materials and marketing requirements. It was prepared by mapping sustainability demands for materials selection during product development, supported by a case study. Patented eco-friendly materials solutions for the case study involving the aircraft furniture structural panels were described and analyzed, considering the materials requirements of the aeronautical project. Composites of bio-polymers reinforced with natural fibers, preferably with solid cores, seem to be the most promising solutions to substitute the current panels.