High-rate, automated aerospace RTM line delivers next-gen spoilers
At Spirit AeroSystem’s Prestwick facility in Scotland, a glimpse of the future of aerocomposites manufacturing in a resin transfer molding line for A320 spoilers.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
PlasmaBound completes €1.1 million investment round
Ireland-based PlasmaBound has developed controlled polymer ablation (CPA) technology, which joins structural adhesives to composites materials.
Scott Bader acquires Summit Composites Pty Ltd
Newly formed Scott Bader Australia Pty Ltd. will continue distributing Scott Bader resins, gel coats and adhesives to the Australian market.
Magnum Venus Products partners with Australian distributor
The new distributor, MVP Australia, will support MVP’s composite equipment and streamline MVP’s customers’ manufacturing processes.
Hyperjoint: additive metal + composites = stronger, tougher joints
Eliminates drilling holes with lap shear 60% higher than bolted joints and almost twice that of bonded joints.
Plant tour: Hexcel, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
The scale, precision, speed and quality of carbon fiber manufacture has evolved substantially since the material’s modern introduction in the late 1960s. Hexcel offers a glimpse of the state of the art today.
Surface treatment for adhesive bonding: Thermoset vs. thermoplastic composites
According to BTG Labs, common surface treatment methods like abrasion and plasma treatment work best for different materials.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Composites suppliers, fabricators respond to coronavirus
Companies across the composites industry supply chain share how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting their businesses, and how they are available to help.
Composite output shaft ready for automotive proving ground
Unlike automotive driveshafts, automotive output shafts cannot leverage shaft length as a factor when making the case for composites. Instead, other beneficial features have made a composite output shaft able to compete with metal shafts, especially in electric vehicles.
Brazilian composites sector shows third consecutive year of growth
Maxiquim’s recent study notes that the transportation and electric sectors are responsible for $560 million in revenue.
MHI Vestas wind blade materials to be sourced in Taiwan
Taiwan-based Swancor will supply resins and composite materials for MHI Vestas’ offshore wind projects in Taiwan.
Material choices for the Corvette rear bumper beam
From fabrics to resins, a number of new combinations of materials went into the making of the world’s first curved pultruded automotive part.
Hexcel HexPly M79 prepregs receive DNV GL Type Approval Certification
The new verification allows the materials to be used in all DNV GL classed vessels.
Composites-intensive masterwork: 2020 Corvette, Part 1
Eighth-generation vehicle sports more composites, and features parts produced using unique materials and processes.
Peggy Malnati
Contributing Writer
IPS Adhesives establishes Center of Excellence in North Carolina
The move centralizes the company’s North American R&D and customer service activities, with a focus on faster response times and increased output.
Curved pultrusions enter production
Corvette CFRP rear bumper beam is the auto industry’s first use of new technology.
Developing new solutions for noise, vibration and harshness
Several recent IACMI partner projects focus on technology innovation related to challenges in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in vehicle design.
National Composites Centre leads dismantlable joints research
Adhesive additive technology is reported to make composite parts easier to dismantle, maintain and recycle.
Combination of automation, rigid foam core enable high-volume aircraft part production
A feasibility study demonstrates increased production capacity using Evonik foam core and automated manufacturing.
Tooling, precision enable composites in satellite subsystems
Tight tolerances drive design and engineering of large-format composite component and dishes to create unique satellite structures.
Coastal Enterprises finds opportunities amid coronavirus pandemic
The tooling board supplier says its U.S.-integrated supply chain and custom services have helped it overcome situational challenges for its customers.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Polypropylene honeycomb lightens, strengthens automotive panels
Polypropylene honeycomb cores from ThermHex are used by Brazilian OEM DPA Moldados to make the trunk floor of the Hyundai Creta ix25.
Chemical Process Services Ltd. develops greener epoxy curing agents
The Furalkamines are a new form of Mannich base curing agents said to deliver significantly enhanced cure performance for epoxy resins.
Solvay, Honda sign exclusive supply agreement for business jet programs
Solvay will supply prepreg and lightning strike protection surfacing film for Honda aircraft business jet HA-420 and Elite programs through 2027.
Composite T-boom accelerates industrial automation
A manufacturing method that integrates filament winding with axil winding of 0-degree fibers opens new design options in industrial automated equipment.
Arkema outlines growth plans in Specialty Materials
In a recent strategy update meeting, the chemical company said it will focus on growth on its Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials and Coating Solutions businesses.
Hexcel, Woodward terminate planned merger
Uncertainty in the aerospace and industrial markets caused by the coronavirus pandemic have forced the two companies to terminate their planned merger of equals.