Peggy Malnati Contributing Writer

Peggy Malnati is a Detroit-based contributing writer for CompositesWorld magazine since 2006, for which she primarily covers automotive and ground transportation.

A long-time member of SAE and SPE, she has organized and managed large technical sessions and conferences for both organizations as well as for the former Structural Plastics division of SPI. For 15 years, she was a board member and the communications chair for the SPE Automotive Division. She also was editor of the 1994 McGraw-Hill book Structural Analysis of Thermoplastic Components. She has provided writing and communications services for the global plastics and composites industries since 1984.

Injection/Overmolding

Bespoke process produces composite brake pedal every minute

By: Peggy Malnati December 23, 2020 - 12:00 AM EST

Three composite materials are used to create structural composite member that meets demanding mechanical requirements.
#workinprogress #automation #layup

Injection/Overmolding

Thermoplastic composite structure replaces metals on safety-critical brake pedals

By: Peggy Malnati December 21, 2020 - 12:00 AM EST

First all-composite brake pedals developed by Boge Rubber & Plastics Group are lighter, stiffer, stronger and offer improved driving haptics.
#focusondesign #composites4_0

Prepregs

Hybrid, large-format additive tooling: Lighter, faster, less costly molds for big parts

By: Peggy Malnati November 20, 2020 - 12:00 AM EST

Additively manufactured cores, CFRP face skins produce large tools for prototype, low-volume aerostructure parts.
#workinprogress #pei #iacmi

Poly/Vinyl Esters

Composites-intensive masterwork: 2020 Corvette, Part 2

By: Peggy Malnati July 27, 2020 - 1:25 PM EST

Innovative composite materials trim mass, costs and noise on the high-volume mid-engine sports car.
#precursor #outofautoclave #focusondesign

Design & Tooling

Composites-intensive masterwork: 2020 Corvette, Part 1

By: Peggy Malnati June 23, 2020 - 7:05 AM EST

Eighth-generation vehicle sports more composites, and features parts produced using unique materials and processes.
#adhesives #sheetmoldingcompound #generalmotors

Processes

Material choices for the Corvette rear bumper beam

By: Peggy Malnati May 11, 2020 - 12:00 AM EST

From fabrics to resins, a number of new combinations of materials went into the making of the world’s first curved pultruded automotive part.
#generalmotors #weaving #outofautoclave

Glass Fibers

Curve in the road: First curved pultruded auto parts

By: Peggy Malnati May 05, 2020 - 12:00 AM EST

Thomas Technik + Innovation KG’s radius pultrusion process unlocks new possibilities for the automotive market and beyond.
#generalmotors #infrastructure #medical

Aerospace

Composites fare well at 2020 PACE Awards

By: Peggy Malnati May 01, 2020 - 10:00 AM EST

This year’s automotive supplier award winners included composite bumper beam, liftgate and pickup box applications.
#discontinuousfiber #generalmotors #hprtm

Markets

Curved pultrusions enter production

By: Peggy Malnati May 01, 2020 - 12:00 AM EST

Corvette CFRP rear bumper beam is the auto industry’s first use of new technology.
#workinprogress #adhesives #generalmotors

Consumer

Greener camping: Sonic X breaks barriers

By: Peggy Malnati March 04, 2020 - 2:41 AM EST

Prototype travel trailer generates excitement, leads to new commercial models.
#sustainability #weaving #marketing

Reinforcements

"Green" carbon fiber: Renewable energy powers fiber production

By: Peggy Malnati February 13, 2020 - 12:00 PM EST

Zoltek is first in the industry to use “green” electricity to produce a portion of its heavy-tow carbon fiber.
#outofautoclave #polyacrylonitrile #precursor

Reinforcements

Porous carbon fiber: Permeable, adsorptive and conductive

By: Peggy Malnati February 06, 2020 - 12:00 AM EST

New Toray development holds promise for advanced batteries, gas-separation technologies for fuel cells.
#trends #sustainability #electricvehicles