CompositesWorld’s High-Performance Fibers 2009 conference returns to Charleston, S.C.,  this year, Nov. 17-18 at the Doubletree Guest Suites Historic Charleston Hotel. This annual event, co-chaired this year by Dana Granville, senior materials engineer at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and Scott Northrup, global director – new business development at AGY (Aiken, S.C.), offers a review of emerging fiber technology for ballistics and impact protection, long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, brake pads, fire protection products and use in ropes and cordage.

The event kicks off the morning of Nov. 17 with a preconference seminar entitled, “High Technology Fibers and Fabric Structures in Body Armor Applications,” presented by Dr. Bhuvenesh C. Goswami, alumni distinguished professor emeritus in the School of Material Science and Engineering at Clemson University. He will outline the structure and properties of fibers, yarns, woven fabrics and nonwoven fabrics.

The event’s keynote address, presented by Jean Herbert, global technology manager at DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems, will review current and future activities at the U.S. Army’s Natick High Performance Fiber facility (Natick, Mass.). The balance of the day includes a presentation on composite armor using high-strength glass fiber, by David Flecko, new business development manager at AGY Huntingdon LLC (Anderson, S.C.); materials development for armor, by Lori Wagner, armor industry technical leader at Honeywell Advanced Fibers and Composites (Colonial Heights, Va.); polypropylene thermoplastics in armor applications, by Eric Brockman, national sales manager at Milliken & Co. (Spartanburg, S.C.); and the use of UHMWPE in antiballistic applications, by Marcelo Herszenhaut, senior account manager — Life Protection Americas div. of DSM Dyneema (Geleen, the Netherlands).

Nov. 18 picks include a look at application of auxetic materials in ballistics protection by Patrick Hook, managing director of Auxetix Ltd. (Pynes Hill, Exeter, U.K.); a review of E-glass and polypropylene filaments in composites applications by Kenneth Weiss, thermoplastic engineer at Fiber Glass Industries (Amsterdam, N.Y.); an update on thermoplastic helmet production, by Tom Campbell, engineer at Fiberforge (Glenwood Springs, Colo.); and application of HMPP (high-modulus polypropylene) fiber in racing and rope products, by Brian Morin, CEO of Innegrity LLC (Simpsonville, S.C.).

The conference includes an opening night cocktail reception, continental breakfast and a roundtable luncheon on the second day. Cost is $1,495; $895 for government employees and academicians. For information or to register, contact CompositesWorld Conferences, (207) 221-6603, www.compositesworld.com/hpf.