News Briefs: HPC July 2010

Park Electrochemical Corp. (Melville, N.Y.) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Park Aerospace Structures Corp., was selected by Northrop Grumman Corp. (El Segundo, Calif.) as its 2009 Research and Development Supplier of the Year for work related to fabricating a motor cage structure and a system of composite struts for the Max Launch Abort System (MLAS) program, under consideration by NASA as an alternative to the current system. The composites structures are key enablers in efforts to ensure the MLAS vehicle maintains the required launch trajectory.

Applied NanoStructured Solutions LLC (ANS, Baltimore, Md.), a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin (Bethesda, Md.), and Owens Corning (Toledo, Ohio) have signed a joint development agreement to support the commercialization of carbon-enhanced reinforcements. Under the agreement, the companies will combine ANS’s proprietary carbon infusion technology with Owens Corning’s expertise in glass fiber reinforcements to develop “next-generation” composites. The companies expect the carbon-enhanced reinforcements to be scalable — able to meet the demands of large-volume applications — with customizable electrical and thermal conductivity. 

Kemrock Industries & Exports Ltd. (Gujarat, India) on May 9 officially opened its first carbon fiber manufacturing facility, inaugurated by former President of India, the Honorable Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The facility is designed to produce 400 metric tonnes (~880,000 lb) of carbon fiber annually, although the type of fiber and tow count was not revealed. The technology was reportedly developed in partnership with National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore. Kemrock reports that it will target defense, aerospace and infrastructure applications with the material.