Mitsubishi Rayon to reorganize U.S. composites businesses
Grafil Inc. and Newport Adhesives and Composites Inc. are being combined to create Mitsubishi Rayon Carbon Fiber and Composites Inc.

Acoustical architecture: Making beautiful music
On the market for more than 40 years, composite musical instruments have advanced from a novelty to critical acclaim.

Composites as costume: Manga masterpieces
Sophisticated design meets composite materials and manufacturing in cosplay application.

Sailing the sea with composite wings
Autonomous sailing vessel patrols with patented WingSail technology.

Designing bicycling’s lightest pro racing frame
Cervélo’s Vroomen White Design group combines analysis and manufacturing acumen to create a 675g/1.5 lb composite frame.

In search of a better ride
Composites minimize weight on this mountain bike’s unconventional, single-sided front-wheel suspension system.

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).

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.

Engineering Insights: Have Surfboard, Will Travel
This two-piece surfboard for the world traveler clamps together for seamless world-class performance.

Plane Enthusiasts Plan LSA-compliant Composite Aircraft
Aspiring owners build and - plan to market - their own tandem seat, twin-boom pusher.

Aluminum Frame Build Incorporates Carbon Fiber Tubes
Frame designers improve bike performance and comfort by incorporating prepregged carbon-fiber braid.

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

At the top and still climbing
Trek Bicycles' OCLV manufacturing method shortens cycle times and optimizes compaction in molded carbon fiber-bike frame components.

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.

Carbon composites move beyond racing yachts into commercial and military marine applications.
Marine carbon composites move beyond racing yachts into commercial and military vessels.

Roll-wrapped golf club shafts feature sophisticated prepreg layup
Roll-wrapped golf shafts are produced through advanced laminate software program.

Carbon/teak swim ladder adds indestructible, elegant touch to yacht fittings
After custom composites fabricator GMT Composites (Bristol, R.I., U.S.A.) completed a carbon composite passerelle (foot bridge) and a lifting deck and transom for a custom 90-ft ketch under construction in Rockport, Maine, U.S.A., the impressed customer requested that GMT custom build a folding swim ladder to match

Schooner features carbon fiber masts, booms, spreaders
When Lion's Whelp, built by Portland Yacht Services (Portland, Maine, U.S.A.) embarked on its inaugural cruise, even seasoned marine observers saw a 65 ft white schooner, reminiscent of the early 20th century's Alden Schooners, complete with spars authentically detailed from wood with traditional brass fittings. But

Towpreg Proves Cost-competitive For Wound Pressure Vessels
Design group's new winding option streamlines new pressure vessel development.

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