BMI in Composites
Porosity, voids and bridging in prepreg autoclave and vacuum bag-only laminates
Consideration of materials, methods and systems explores ways to reduce potential surface porosity, voids, resin-rich areas, bridging and other flaws in composite laminates.
CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Current Inc.
Current Inc. produces thermoset-based products such as tubing rods, sheets and more with high electrical and mechanical characteristics and different color combinations.
Read MoreMaterials & Processes: Tooling for composites
Composite parts are formed in molds, also known as tools. Tools can be made from virtually any material. The material type, shape and complexity depend upon the part and length of production run. Here's a short summary of the issues involved in electing and making tools.
Read MoreMaterials & Processes: Composites fibers and resins
Compared to legacy materials like steel, aluminum, iron and titanium, composites are still coming of age, and only just now are being better understood by design and manufacturing engineers. However, composites’ physical properties — combined with unbeatable light weight — make them undeniably attractive.
Read MoreMaterials & Processes: Resin matrices for composites
The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement, gives the composite component its shape and determines its surface quality. A composite matrix may be a polymer, ceramic, metal or carbon. Here’s a guide to selection.
Read MoreThe making of carbon fiber
A look at the process by which precursor becomes carbon fiber through a careful (and mostly proprietary) manipulation of temperature and tension.
Read MoreMaterials & Processes: Fabrication methods
There are numerous methods for fabricating composite components. Selection of a method for a particular part, therefore, will depend on the materials, the part design and end-use or application. Here's a guide to selection.
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Stratolaunch completes second test flight
All-composite carrier aircraft successfully flew for three hours and reached an altitude of 14,000 feet in preparation for supporting the upcoming hypersonic testbed vehicle, Talon-A.
Grace Nehls
Senior Managing Editor, CompositesWorld
CAMX 2020 exhibit preview: Renegade Materials Corp.
Renegade Materials Corp. is promoting its prepregs, resins and adhesive products.
Read MoreSurface 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.
Read MoreBoron fiber: The original high-performance fiber
History and future developments for high-performance boron fiber.
Read MoreTech Table: Adhesives
A table of aerospace structural adhesives includes collected from data provided by suppliers.
Read MoreCAMX 2019 exhibit preview: Specialty Materials
Specialty Materials Inc. is emphasizing its line of boron monofilament and prepreg materials, as well as SCS silicon carbide monofilament.
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Episode 34: Carmelo Lo Faro, Solvay Composite Materials
Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay Composite Materials, talks about how he sees aerocomposites evolving in the time of COVID-19, the rise of computational power to evolve composites use, the prospects for increased composites use in the automotive market, and the increasing importance of education in the composites industry.
Jeff Sloan
Brand Vice President, CompositesWorld & Plastics Technology, CompositesWorld
Spirit AeroSystems debuts next-generation composite fuselage panel
The 18-by-12-foot (5.5-by-3.7-meter) demonstrator panel debuted at the Paris Air Show features integrated skin and stringers and offers substantial cost savings combined with strong performance attributes.
Read MoreSpar forming simplified
Adapting its Automated Stiffener Forming (ASF) technology to build spars directly in female molds, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems anticipates dramatic drops in cycle time and manufacturing cost.
Read MoreJEC World 2019: Exhibit previews
CompositesWorld offers a preview of some of the exhibits and products that will be featured at JEC World 2019, March 12-14 in Paris, France.
Read MoreJEC World 2019 preview: Teijin
Teijin Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan, 6/G28) is introducing a new prepreg composed of unidirectional carbon fiber tape with a bismaleimide (BMI) matrix resin.
Read MoreCAMX 2018: Big changes coming
3D printing goes thermoset, pultrusion aims at automotive, a polyester resin with Tg>250°C and much more from the Dallas exhibit floor.
Read MoreCAMX 2018 preview: Renegade Materials/Maverick
High-temperature materials specialists Renegade Materials Corp. and Maverick Corp. (both in Miamisburg, OH, US) are featuring their prepregs and adhesives, powered by Maverick-developed, non-MDA polyimide resins.
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Leveraging towpreg to reduce the cost of CMC
High-denier, spread-tow Nextel 610 fiber and novel alumina matrix enable AFP production of Ox-Ox ceramic matrix composites.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Plant tour: Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita, KS
Spirit AeroSystems was an established aerospace supplier when it earned that distinction, winning the contract for the Boeing 787’s Section 41. Now its sights are set on the next generation of aircraft.
Read MorePlant tour: Israel Aerospace Industries, Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is developing increasing expertise both in and out of the autoclave as it expands an already broad composites production portfolio.
Read MoreRenegade Materials and GE celebrate engine shipment
The GE Passport Engine is built with RM-1100 Polyimide high-service temperature composite prepreg materials from Renegate Materials Corp.
Read MoreRenegade recognized for supplier innovation
Renegade Materials was recognized for Supplier Innovation by Meggitt Polymers & Composites Group at Meggitt’s 2017 Global Supplier Conference.
Read MoreThird Wave Systems models 5-axis machined composite components
Developed under a RIF with the USAF, engineers demonstrated improved production processes for several current warfighter composite components.
Read MoreCAMX 2017 preview: Renegade Materials/Maverick
Renegade Materials Corp. (Springboro, OH, US) and Maverick Corp. (Blue Ash, OH, US) are emphasizing their composite materials for high-temperature aerospace applications.
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