RE: Carbon fiber vs Aluminum landing gear
A few facts that might help you are the Specif Gravity (OR weight relationship to water @ 62.4#/CF) of carbon epoxy composite is 1.54, where 6063-T6 aluminum is 2.71. This equals a 75% weight saving if you go size per size. But The tensile modulus (Or strength) of carbon epoxy composite is 20.3, where 6063-T6 aluminum is 10. So this means you can use half the material to get the same strength. Bottom line it even if you only cut the material thickness by 1/3 and go carbon composite you are reducing you weight at lease in half!
Charlie