JEC Europe 2012 report
A big, busy show and a big variety of new developments boded well for the industry’s future.

2011 High-Performance Resins Highlights
Attendees reviewed the current state of advanced resin technology and the tests that lay ahead for expanding composites into new applications and markets.

Tooling for composites: Evolutionary trajectory
New technologies and improved methods keep up as tools get bigger and more complex and toolmaking gets ever more challenging.

Biz Briefs
News briefs from ACG, J.D. Lincoln, Despatch Industries, Dow Epoxy.

High-speed press cure for high-speed racers
Trapped tooling and compression molding bring cocuring efficiencies to previously autoclave-cured, aerodynamic fins and planes.

Phenolic prepreg finds home in Bombardier passenger trains
Ipeco Composites uses ACG's phenolic prepreg to mold standback for Bombardier's Class 379 Electrostar EMU trains. The material provides 40 percent weight savings compared to wet layup.

News Briefs: May 17, 2011
ACG awarded OOA contract from U.S. Navy; Airtech Europe installs large cutting table for vacuum bag kitting; CCMRD expands; Composites Resources adds equipment; Synergy Composites accredited to ISO9001; Miltec adds Barbara Ann Mayfield

Autoclave-cure tooling prepreg
Advanced Composites Group Ltd. has launched LTM202, an autoclave-cure tooling prepreg system that offers a thermal cycling capability up to 200°C/392°F.

Business Briefs: May 2011 HPC
Advanced Composites Group, C.A. Litzler, The Tomcat Group, SGL, North Coast Composites, GRPMS, Sikorsky.

Microwave: An alternative to the autoclave?
Aerospace composites manufacturer GKN evaluates microwave oven practicality and cost-effectiveness.

JEC Paris highlights
The news from this annual Parisian in-gathering of composites professionals is heavily weighted toward automotive lightweighting.

Portable wind turbine powers the warrior
DARPA-financed program puts wind energy to use for battery and system recharging.

LISA Airplane's AKOYA uses ACG prepreg
Advanced Composites Group's carbon fiber prepreg is used to manufacture the wings, fuselage and other components for LISA Airplane's single-engine AKOYA aircraft.

Performance requirements: CAI vs. OHC
John Russell, who manages nonautoclave research programs for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio), recently threw down the gauntlet at the Fall SAMPE conference in Salt Lake City, Utah: “Give us a 25 percent improvement in notch properties with no microcracking in high-modulus fibers.” While OOA prepreg suppliers can’t do much about fiber microcracking, Advanced Composites Group (ACG, Tulsa, Okla.)  already has announced that its XMTM47 material will be commercial by next year, designed for 120°C/248°F service with the increased notched performance requested.

Out-of-autoclave prepregs: Hype or revolution?
Oven-cured, vacuum-bagged prepregs show promise in production primary structures.

GKN A350 spar program update
Automated fiber placement to replace established tape laying/drape forming process for the composite rear spars on the new midsize commercial passenger jet.

The Private Space Race
NASA passes the development torch to legacy contractors and NewSpace entrepreneurs, igniting a new competition in space transport.

Farnborough International Airshow 2010
Although uncertainties remain, aircraft OEMs see recovery in order numbers.

Shared composite material property databases
Work at NCAMP is proceeding, with several new materials undergoing testing.

Shared databases: The time is now!
Chris Ridgard (Advanced Composites Group Inc., Tulsa, Okla.) urges aerospace materials suppliers and aircraft manufacturers to join forces behind National Center for Advanced Material Performance (NCMAP) efforts to continue AGATE shared-database efforts.

ACG will supply composites for US F1 Team
US F1 Team is the only U.S.-based team to participate in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft proves large structure practicality
Dr. John Russell reports that the successful completion of a flying aircraft in the the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft program has demonstrated the holistic impact that composites technology can have on future aircraft development.

Composite tooling block
Advanced Composites Group Ltd. has launched CB1100, a high-grade ceramic tooling block material that offers high-temperature resistance and a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

ACG will supply carbon fiber pregregs for trimaran series
Advanced Composites Group Ltd has been selected as official carbon fiber prepreg supplier to the Multi One Design 70 trimaran project.

Flame-resistant phenolic resin system
Advanced Composites Group Ltd. has launched MTM82S-C, a new fire performance phenolic resin system available as a prepreg and suitable for mass transit, industrial and construction applications.

ACG phenolic prepreg specified for ballistics project
Composite phenolic prepreg materials from Advanced Composites Group Ltd. are being used by U.K.-based Permali Gloucester Ltd. to manufacture appliqué armor and spall liners for more than 100 military vehicles recently ordered by the U.K. Ministry of Defence.

Out-of-autoclave carbon composites lightweight fuel cell-powered urban car
Advanced Composites Group prepreg finds application in Riversimple fuel cell-powered concept car.

CompositesWorld Expo presentation to focus on out-of-autoclave technologies
Chris Ridgard, of Advanced Composites Group, will review the status of current out-of-autoclave technology in various industries and discuss future development steps to be considered. CompositesWorld Expo is Sept. 28-30 in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Ill.

Temperature-resistant motorsport prepreg
Advanced Composites Group Ltd. has launched HTM60, a high-temperature molding epoxy resin matrix system, designed for motorsport applications.

Corvette's carbon hood creates shock and awe
North America’s first mass-produced, all-CFRP hood raises the bar for production sports cars.

JEC COMPOSITES 2009 Product Showcase
Despite the doleful state of the global economy, the turnout in Paris — exhibitors and visitors — proved surprisingly strong.

SAMPE 2009 Product Showcase
Showgoers at the SAMPE 2009 Conference and Exhibiton in Baltimore, Md. found many suppliers undeterred by poor economic news. 

JEC Composites 2009 showcase
 Despite the doleful state of the global economy, the turnout in Paris — exhibitors and visitors — proved surprisingly strong.

Lightweight, stable large-tool concept requires no master model
After two years of testing, partners Advanced Composites Group (ACG, Tulsa, Okla.) and GrafTech (Parma, Ohio) are commercializing the ACG GRAFOAM FPA-20 tooling system, a new concept in dimensionally stable, low-mass, high-temperature-compatible composite tooling. The system’s foundation is carbon foam.

Composite wing key to high-speed stability
First mass-produced CFRP wing helps supercar achieve downforce and lateral acceleration values superior to many GT racing cars.

Show reports: SAMPE Tech, SME Tooling for Composites and Composites Europe
HPC was on the road — a lot — during the last two months, attending a number of conferences and exhibitions including its own CompositesWorld Expo held in Schaumburg, Ill. on Sept. 2-5 (see HPC’s extensive Expo coverage in the Learn More box at right).

Shared composite material property databases
For more than a decade, NASA, FAA, industry and academia have been working toward the goal of creating a centralized composite material property database similar to that for metals. Their efforts, while productive, have not come with the war-like strength that the standardization of metals did. The composites industry is guided by Composite Materials Handbook 17 or CMH-17 (formerly known as MIL-HDBK-17).

Prepreg forecast: Strong growth through 2013
 Prepreg applications are on the rise in the composites industry as manufacturers in a variety of industries increasingly adopt this versatile material. Today, prepregs find use in commercial aerospace, military/defense, general aviation, space/satellite, marine, sporting goods, automotive, civil engineering, wind

Rapid Manufacturing, Part II: Pioneer Applications
Harbingers of what could be a significant trend, these composites manufacturers demonstrate the potential of additive fabrication and several innovative materials in tool-free manufacture of complex components.

Flying high on composite wings
FRP wings, fuselages and other primary and secondary structures on GA prop, turboprop and jet aircraft help lift this market to unprecedented heights.

New metal coating to optimize composite tooling
Near the end of its development cycle, this nanostructured metal overlay promises to extend the working life and improve the cost-effectiveness of carbon/epoxy tooling.

SPE Names Top Automotive Innovations at 37th Annual Event
Industry judges were impressed with the high level of innovation shown by all nominees in this year’s SPE Automotive Innovation Awards competition, the oldest and largest recognition event in the automotive and plastics industries. The award program is produced by the Automotive Div. of the Society of Plastics

Fabrication methods
There are numerous methods for fabricating composite components. Some methods have been borrowed (injection molding, for example), but many were developed to meet specific design or manufacturing challenges. Selection of a method for a particular part, therefore, will depend on the materials, the part design and end-use or application. 

Engineering Insights: Conveyor Manufacturer Springs for Composites
Vibratory conveyor a natural fit for flexible, contoured composite spring arms.

Epoxy tooling block - 9/1/2007
Huntsman Advanced Materials (The Woodlands, Texas) has introduced ACG TB720, an epoxy tooling block material developed in partnership with Advanced Composites Group (ACG, Heanor, Derbyshire, U.K. and Tulsa, Okla.). The product is said to be a low-cost, easily machined material for fabrication of master models,

Epoxy tooling block
Huntsman Advanced Materials (The Woodlands, Texas) has introduced ACG TB720, an epoxy tooling block material developed in partnership with Advanced Composites Group (ACG, Heanor, Derbyshire, U.K. and Tulsa, Okla.). The product is said to be a low-cost, easily machined material for fabrication of master models,

Blended Wing UAV
Unique unmanned craft's robust composite design a plus for rough duty.

JEC Composites 2006 Product Showcase - 7/1/2006
Advanced composites continue to lead the economic upswing in the composites industry.

Autoclave Quality Outside The Autoclave?
Pioneers of out-of-autoclave processing in aerospace applications answer a qualified but enthusiastic Yes!

Carbon Fiber Makes Ship-to-shore Crossings More Stable
Traditional wood and metal gangways have been heavy and, therefore, both hard to handle and narrow — the latter to save weight. Exit Engineering (Fiesso d'Artico, Italy) has developed several carbon composite gangways — the latest, a 350 cm/138 inch model targeted at the larger yacht market. At 60 cm/23.6 in wide,

An update on composite tanks for cryogens
More automation, improved materials bring composite fuel tanks for space applications closer to reality.

Collapsible mandrel enables full-barrel fiber placement
FUBACOMP (Full Barrel Composite Fuselage), a European consortium, is developing technology that will enable automated fiber placement of a one-piece business jet fuselage. Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG, Heanor, Derbyshire, U.K.) recently designed and built a 4.5m/14.6-ft long by 2m/6.5-ft diameter

SAMPE Europe/JEC Composites 2005
Advanced materials reap rewards, enter new arenas of application in annual Parisian showcase.

JEC Composites 2005 Show Review
Paris composites exhibition posts 12 percent increase in attendance, underscoring industry health.

Distributors and their role
These key players in the supply chain provide indispensable services not just in the commodity markets but in advanced material arenas as well.

Low-temperature-cure prepreg
Advanced Composites Group Ltd.'s (Derbyshire, U.K.) next-generation low-temperature-cure prepregs, include MTM45, a toughened epoxy system with typical cure temperatures of 85°C/185°F for 20 hours or 180°C/356°F for two hours. The product is designed to deliver improved performance yet permit cure at low temperatures.

Carbon fiber raises consumer performance index
Carbon bridges gap between large-volume sporting goods and aerospace to satisfy discriminating tastes in consumer and professional markets.

One-piece molded carbon steering wheel for yachts
Concurrent product and manufacturing system design creates lightweight, hollow spoked structure without joints.

Composite manufacturers thrive on products manufactured for the Automotive Aftermarket
Carbon and fiberglass accessories make up a big chunk of this multi-billion-dollar industry.

Composites combat ready in UCAVs
As unmanned aircraft are designed from inception for combat duty, composites will carry the payloads in structural components.

Carbon Composites for Sports Cars and Mass Market Cars
A confluence of market demand, new product development and competition among automakers fuels growth in use of carbon fiber composites.

SAMPE Wrap Up And Product Showcase
Exhibitions on both sides of the Atlantic spur optimism and spotlight innovative technology.

JEC Composites 2003 SAMPE Europe Conference Review
Paris is the debut stage for a galaxy of composites industry innovations.

AGATE Methodology Proves Its Worth
Increased availability, lower testing costs and shorter development times are among the program's achievements.

An Elegant Solution For A Big Composite Part
The rear pressure bulkhead for the Airbus A380 employs resin film infusion.