Airplanes are regularly exposed to stress. Commercial airplanes, for instance, typically have pressurized cabins that mimic the atmosphere of 7,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level. All of this pressure will push against the inner walls of the airplane’s body. Airplanes, however, are often designed with crack arrestors to protect against stress-related damage.
The Basics of a Crack Arrestor
A crack arrestor is a structural component that’s designed to absorb and contain cracks in structures. They are commonly used in airplane bodies. Airplane bodies are structures, and some of them are susceptible to cracking. A crack arrestor can protect the body of an airplane from cracking.
How Crack Arrestors Are Used in Airplanes
Airplanes with a pressurized cabin may feature one or more crack arrestors. Pressurized cabins are necessary for a comfortable and safe flight experience. At high altitudes, the air is thin. Therefore, it contains less oxygen than the air at or near ground level. Pressurized cabins offer a solution. Airplanes can pump air into their respective cabin, thus pressurizing it to the equivalent of 7,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level.
Pressurized cabins, though, are exposed to stress. All of the pressurized air will push against the inner walls. To prevent cracks from forming in the main body section, a crack arrestor may be used. The crack arrestor will absorb and contain any cracks.
Crack arrestors are simply thick pieces of material that are used in conjunction with a larger structure. Some of them are ring shaped. Other crack arrestors are long strips. Regardless, they are made of a thick and strong material. The general idea is that cracks will develop in a crack arrestor rather than the rest of the structure.
Crack arrestors don’t necessarily prevent airplane bodies or other structures from being exposed to stress; they are only designed to absorb and contain stress-related cracks. As long as an airplane’s cabin is pressurized, its body will be exposed to stress. A crack arrestor will simply protect the body from cracks. The main body section of the airplane typically won’t crack when exposed to stress. Instead, the crack arrestor will absorb the crack.
In Conclusion
Most commercial airplanes have fail-safes to maintain cabin pressure. One of these fail-safes is a crack arrestor. Crack arrestors are thick and strong pieces of material. They are used in airplanes to absorb and contain cracks so that the airplanes don’t lose cabin pressure.
