Definition
Large fan blades used in modern high-bypass turbofan engines, manufactured from layered composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced with epoxy resin, often with a titanium or metal leading edge for impact resistance. They replace traditional solid metal blades to reduce engine weight while maintaining strength and aerodynamic performance.
Plain English
The big front fan blades of a jet engine, made from layered fiber-and-resin material instead of solid metal so they are lighter but still strong enough to do the job.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of turbine engine construction, engine inspections, and damage from birds, ice, or loose objects on the ramp.
Derivation
Composite means 'made of multiple materials bonded together.' From Latin componere, 'to put together.' The name signals that the blade is not one solid piece of metal but a built-up structure of different materials chosen for specific properties.
Why Pilots Care
They reduce engine weight, permit larger fan diameters, and improve fuel efficiency while offering good resistance to foreign-object damage.
Intuition Check
Composite does not mean temporary, patched, or weaker than metal. Here it means an engineered part made from combined materials designed to carry heavy loads.
Example Sentence 1
The GE90 was one of the first large turbofan engines to use composite fan blades, helping reduce overall engine weight.
Example Sentence 2
The new engine model uses composite fan blades to cut overall weight and allow a higher bypass ratio.