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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