Work In Progress

Sustainability 20 May 2022

High-performance sustainability and cost-efficiency advance with HiPerDiF

In the latest chapter of the HiPerDiF (High Performance Discontinuous Fibre) story, commercial production is on the near horizon for high-performance composite materials that are both sustainable and formable, leading to simpler, more cost-efficient composites manufacturing.

Epoxies 27 Apr 2022

Multi-material steel/composite leaf spring targets lightweight, high-volume applications

Rassini International was challenged by Ford Motor Co. to take weight out of the F-150 pickup truck. Rassini responded with a multi-material steel/composite hybrid leaf spring system that can be manufactured at high volumes.

Materials Testing 21 Apr 2022

Long-fiber liquid crystal polymers

High-performance, injection moldable grades to be offered with long glass, carbon fiber options.

Work In Progress 21 Mar 2022

Can 3D printing debottleneck prototype tool production?

Preliminary IACMI/ORNL study evaluates viability of using polymer additive tooling to compression mold SMC.

Work In Progress 23 Feb 2022

Pressurized steam-based composites recycling for full fiber reclamation

Longworth’s DEECOM process for composites recycling claims to produce intact fiber and resin reclamation with near-virgin properties.

Watch

Work In Progress 28 Jan 2022

Envisioning high-volume, 100% composite wheels

Vision Wheel debuted its first carbon fiber composite wheel at CAMX 2021, claiming its low-cost, high-volume process can be scaled up for performance vehicles, UTVs and — ultimately — passenger EVs.

Work In Progress 26 Jan 2022

Hybrid battery cover: CAE approach

A Q&A with Benedikt Fengler, co-founder and composites simulation specialist for Simutence provides a more in-depth take on moldfilling, warpage and assembly simulations performed in HRC Group’s SMC battery cover feasibility study.

Design/Simulation 21 Jan 2022

NASA Institute develops carbon nanotube-based composites for Mars spacecraft

The five-year project employs computational modeling techniques to build composite panels that are three times stiffer and stronger than current carbon fiber to enable manned missions to Mars.

Work In Progress 11 Jan 2022

Modular draping system shows potential for wrinkle-free, automated dry fiber layup

Through research programs FlexProCFK and AutoBLADE, Leibniz University and partners are developing a robot-mounted layup system for complex CFRP parts.