Sara Black

Sara Black Senior Technical Editor Emeritus

Sara Black, a senior editor with CompositesWorld, has been with the magazine, and its predecessor magazines, since 1999. She is responsible for developing and writing content for the print magazine and CompositesWorld’s website. Prior to 1999, she wrote technical content for two subscription-based magazines covering air, water and soil pollution remediation.

Construction

FRP pultrusions replace wood for structural applications

Unlike wood, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) is unaffected by salt spray, moisture or prolonged immersion in water, making it a good material choice for structural applications in harsh environments.

Read More

Additive manufacturing speeds wind tunnel model creation

A new composite material was developed to 3D-print a helicopter model that met structural needs while providing flexibility for fast reproduction.

Read More
Weaving

Ballistic panels protect school

A composites manufacturer has developed military-grade pultruded panels that are being used to protect schools in case of violent intruders.

Read More
Hi-Temp Resins

Architectural cladding composite unveiled

Arcitell, a manufacturer of residential siding products, has unveiled a lightweight fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) panel that replicates traditional brick, stone or wood siding.

Read More
Aerospace

U.K. research program explores aligned discontinuous fiber prepreg

A research program in the U.K. is attempting to achieve a fundamental step-change in the composites industry.

Read More
Adhesives

Multimaterial carbon fiber composite engine brace

The project’s aim was to produce a lighter, composite version of an aluminum Audi engine brace, with a more aesthetic molded shape.

Read More
Wind/Energy

Proving viability of dry fabrics, infusion for large aerostructures

Danobat’s ADMP is used to produce a wing demonstrator with non-crimp fabrics.

Read More
Weaving

Combining materials for better bicycles

Bicycle manufacturer HIA Velo combines composite materials to make its products more durable.

Read More
Automotive

JEC World 2019 Preview

The JEC World trade show and conference, the largest composites event in the world, will be held at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, March 12-14, 2019.

Read More
Consumer

Making better composite bikes, Part 2

My latest blog, about HIA Velo bicycles, concerned the use of high molecular weight polypropylene (HMWPP) combined with carbon fiber for more durable bicycle frames. But there’s more to cover on this topic: bicycle rims (wheels) that combine carbon and HMWPP for greater toughness.

Read More

Going discontinuous, for continuous improvement

The HiPerDiF (High Performance Discontinuous Fibre) project is exploring an alternate way of producing high-performance carbon fiber composites: start with discontinuous, rather than continuous fibers.

Watch
Trends

MTorres announces new CEO

Luis Pérez Oliva has been announced as the new CEO of MTorres.

Read More
Composite raw materials
Alpha’s Premier ESR®