The standard construction materials of commercial aircraft have largely remained the same for over half a century, with sheet metal forming much of the exterior. This design has remained in use because it is durable, corrosion-resistant, and relatively easy to work with. Nevertheless, sheet metal does have its limitations, those of which can often be improved upon by opting for composite materials. As a result, we are likely to see composite materials taking up a larger place in modern aircraft design in the coming years.