Airbus' aims with the A350 XWB family were to provide a leaner, greener aircraft for the medium to long-haul twin-jet widebody market. The principal targets were to achieve 25% reductions in fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions, and cheaper direct maintenance costs (DMC). To achieve those aims, Airbus introduced innovations at a number of levels into the A350 XWB's structure and systems. Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) makes up 53% of the structure, titanium 14%, aluminium (which historically always made up most of an airliner's structure) 19%, steel 6% and other materials 8%. The A350 XWB is the first Airbus type that has a higher percentage of composites than metallic parts.
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