Aircraft wing component

A method of manufacturing an aircraft wing component, the aircraft wing component comprising a composite material, wherein:

• a first layer of the composite material comprises a metal matrix containing reinforcing material;
• a second layer of the composite material comprises a metal matrix containing a plurality of hollow spheres comprising alumina;
• and
• wherein the second layer portion is adjacent to an external surface of the composite material, such that the first layer portion is spaced apart from the external surface of the composite material by the second layer;
• the method comprising:
• laying up the spheres and the reinforcing material in a mold;
• introducing a metal into the mold;
• and
• solidifying the liquid metal into a solid.

A wing assembly comprising:

• a wing main body;
• an engine;
• and
• an aircraft wing component arranged downstream of the engine, the aircraft wing component comprising a composite material, wherein:
• a first layer of the composite material comprises a metal matrix containing reinforcing material;
• and
• a second layer of the composite material comprises a metal matrix containing a plurality of hollow spheres comprising alumina;
• wherein the second layer is adjacent to an external surface of the composite material in a thickness direction of the aircraft wing component, such that the first layer is spaced apart in the thickness direction from the external surface of the composite material by the second layer.