The markets: Fuel cells and batteries (2021)
Although fuel-cell powered vehicles could still be in the automotive future, growth will be measured and so will the market for composite components. Composites for electric vehicle battery packs and hydrogen tanks for fuel cell vehicles will be the more immediate opportunity.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
Airbus releases 2020 orders and deliveries
The company reports 383 new orders and 566 deliveries in 2020 across all market segments.
Avions Mauboussin launches STOL hybrid-hydrogen aircraft
Hybrid Zéphyr engine for electric/hydrogen capabilities and a natural fiber composite-based design revive and reinvent an energy-efficient aircraft brand.
Diamond Aircraft introduces an all-carbon fiber DA50 RG aircraft
With an all-carbon fiber airframe, the aircraft offers several internal and external features for improved space, luxury, safety and efficiency.
Simulation software leveraged for rotor blade project
Seoul National University uses Analyswift’s composite simulation software, VABS, for more accurate design and analyses in the university’s experimental evaluation of a SNUF rotor blade.
Honda Aircraft Co. begins deliveries of HondaJet Elite to China
The composite fuselage aircraft model, introduced in 2018, received Chinese type certification in August of this year.
Estimating composite properties using data from similar materials
CW columnist Dan Adams explores methods for estimating composite mechanical properties using similar materials.
National Composites Week: Top 20 stories in the last decade
As we celebrate National Composites Week, we’ve collected our top content over the last ten years.
Dowty Propellers to open U.K. headquarters, composite propeller blade production facility
The Brockworth, England facility will include a full production facility for the company’s all-composite aircraft propeller blades.
Composites 2020: A Multitude of Markets
The manufacturing world likes to think of composites fabrication as a single, global entity that operates to serve its customers’ needs with a variety of highly engineered parts and structures.
Daher completes acquisition of Quest Aircraft Co.
The acquisition of the U.S.-based company extends Daher’s North American operations, adding assembly of the Kodiak utility airplane to its portfolio.
Bye eFlyer 2 flight test data supports electric propulsion claims
Bye Aerospace estimates its eFlyer will eliminate 3 million metric tons of CO2 every year otherwise produced to train the needed new airline pilots.
NASA all-electric experimental aircraft to begin ground testing
NASA’s X-57 Maxwell has been delivered to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in its Mod II configuration and will soon undergo extensive ground testing of its integrated electric propulsion system.
VoltAero unveils new hybrid-electric aircraft
France-based VoltAero will offer its Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft in three versions, starting with the Cassio 330. Flight testing has begun and first deliveries are expected by the end of 2022.
Grace Nehls
Assistant Editor, CompositesWorld
CAMX 2019: Exhibit previews
CAMX 2019 is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about what you will encounter on the show floor.
CAMX 2019: Exhibit previews, part 2
CAMX 2019 is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about what you will encounter on the show floor. This is part two of a two-part series that previews some of the products, technologies and services that will be on display.
Quantum to purchase 26 eFlyers from Bye Aerospace
Quantum Air aims to lead point-to-point air taxi travel with its fleet of eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4 electric airplanes.
Carbon Fiber Composites Inc. awarded $10,000 for new aircraft design
The composite aircraft part manufacturer has built prototype and production aircraft parts, including those for the Safari 500 helicopter.
CAMX 2019 exhibit preview: Matrix Composites
Matrix Composites is emphasizing its design and manufacture services for aerospace, defense and commercial/general aviation composite components and assemblies.
CAMX 2019 exhibit preview: Toray Composites Materials America
Toray Composite Materials America Inc. (Tacoma, Wash., U.S.) is featuring its latest innovations in carbon fiber and composite materials.
Carbon fiber suppliers gear up for next-gen growth
CompositesWorld’s annual Carbon Fiber conference was held in Knoxville, Tenn., U.S., in late 2019 and included a pre-conference seminar focused on carbon fiber supply and demand.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
eFlyer 2 begins flight testing with Siemens production motor
Bye Aerospace begins a new flight test phase for its two-seat composites-intensive all-electric eFlyer 2 prototype with the new 90 kW Siemens SP70D production motor.
Park puts focus on aerospace business
Park Electrochemical Corp. announces the merger of its aerospace technologies subsidiary and a company name change to Park Aerospace Corp.
MA Group and Sichuan Haite Group to develop aerocomposite JV
The companies’ goal is to boost R&D in China for aircraft landing gears and composite components for aircraft.
BlackBird partners with Bye Aerospace
The two companies have announced a long-term partnership aimed at making flying more affordable than driving for trips up to 300 miles.
Bye's Sunflyer rebranded as eFlyer
Bye Aerospace says eFlyer’s (formerly Sun Flyer) new name more accurately represents the aircraft’s all-electric propulsion system.
SAE and NCAMP to develop aerospace material and process standards
The collaboration will develop global material and process specifications for advanced materials, including composites, in the aerospace and air transport industries.
