Seeking details of ‘high tech plastic’

Please don’t start referring to the 777X wing as “plastic,” as in the AP/Herald staff story, “Boeing books Cathay Pacific order for 21 777Xs.” While engineers may use that term to describe properties of the composite material, the layman understanding of the word conjures images of gallon milk jugs. I’m no engineer, but a bit of free time on the couch with a Google-capable device informed me that the wing will be made of CFRP or carbon fiber reinforced polymer (or plastic). The material and process is more akin to building fiberglass boats or putting mayo on both pieces of the bread so the ham doesn’t fall out of my sandwich than it is to the stuff that makes a Happy Meal toy. The materials and processes necessary to build the 777X wing are technological marvels. Help me understand the realities of what it takes to be on the cutting edge and not dull it with fuzzy language.

Jim Hills

Edmonds

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

Comment: Why more Americans are ending up in ‘potter’s fields’

Just as more seniors are living alone, a million ‘kinless seniors’ are likely to die alone, mourned by no one.

Comment: AI making disinformation even harder to fight

AI makes it especially easy to target communities of color and others reliant on cell phone apps.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, March 26

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

We need ‘We Are the World’ effort for today’s crises

Thank you for publishing Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker’s “For one brief… Continue reading

Is Ferguson who voters want to elect as govenor?

When I realized how damaging Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob… Continue reading

Saunders: Hearings catch Hunter benefiting from ‘Biden lift’

Republicans have failed to connect the president to his son’s crimes, but there’s no denying those.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.