Development of ASTM standards for composites: An insider’s perspective
According to Dan Adams’ inside perspective, two elements determine whether a proposed test method for composite materials becomes an ASTM standard.
Daniel Adams
Composite resins price change report
CW’s running summary of resin price change announcements from major material suppliers that serve the composites manufacturing industry.
Impact tests on RAMSSES ship hull demonstrator show resilience of composites
Damen Shipbuilding and project consortium partners test 6-meter-high, resin-infused composite hull section.
ALMA project pursues the path to electromobility with advanced materials, processes
European consortium to develop BEV structure with 45% weight reduction via a multimaterial, modular e-vehicle platform for more energy-efficient and sustainable vehicles.
PAL-V and EASA finalize first flying car certification
After 10 years of testing, the Dutch company completes full certification basis with EU’s aviation regulator and opens path to commercialization.
EHang to demonstrate eVTOL medical air mobility via SAFIR-Med project
Project intends to demonstrate AAV use cases for emergency medical transport, and potentially advance and refine current U-space services for unmanned aircraft in European airspace.
Bercella develops carbon fiber monocoque for Hypercar model racer
Carbon fiber chassis, FIAS and RIAS will ensure the SCG 007 racer’s compliance with new power and weight regulations for its participation in the 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours race.
The industrialization of thermoplastic epoxy
Fast-processing composites that are strong yet tough, thermoformable, reformable, recyclable and even FST-compliant save cost in aircraft and rail equipment.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
FACC begins EHang 216 flight tests
The successful autonomous aerial vehicle flight test earns an experimental flight permit offered by Austrian aviation authorities for future flight test execution.
Hybrid electric vehicle market report indicates steady, upward growth
As carbon dioxide emission regulations become stricter across the world, HEV sales show an increasingly upward trend, with expectations to peak at $792 billion by 2027.
EconCore, Toray and Bostik collaborate on FST-qualified thermoplastic honeycomb panels
Developed for mass transportation applications, including aircraft interiors, the material improves upon the cost, sustainability and versatility of conventional sandwich layup.
McLaren, Bcomp use natural composite fibers in F1 racing seat
The flax fibers meet strength and stiffness requirements while reducing vibration, cost, enhancing safety and lowering its CO2 footprint by 75%.
EHang 216 AAV obtains Special Flight Operations Certificate
The certificate issued by the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) will enable routine trial flights in Québec, Canada.
Electric short takeoff & landing aircraft addresses e-commerce needs
California-based Airflow's eSTOL aircraft promises cost-effective, rapid delivery of cargo within a distance range of 50-200 miles.
The untapped potential in Formula 1 composite manufacture
Formula 1’s midfield teams are struggling to bridge the gap to their better resourced frontrunning counterparts. Could Industry 4.0 composites manufacturing automation level the playing field?
German racing series shifts to natural fiber application
German racing series DTM says the shift away from carbon fibers will be more cost-efficient, improve lightweighting and reduce the organization’s ecological footprint.
Carbon fiber-reinforced concrete accelerates in Germany
TU Dresden and C3 – Carbon Concrete Composite demonstrator aims to reduce concrete material use by 50% and CO2 emissions by up to 70%; Hitexbau touts high-volume automated production for carbon fiber textile grids.
Episode 32: Gregg Balko, SAMPE
CW Talks catches up with Gregg Balko, CEO of SAMPE since 2004, before his retirement on July 1, 2020.
Kitty Hawk ends eVTOL Flyer aircraft program
Designed with composite materials, the eVTOL aircraft was a major milestone for urban air mobility.
China's EHang wins approval to use autonomous aerial vehicles for air logistics
The approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China enables commercial operation of the EHang 216 passenger-grade plane for cargo transport.
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.
The evolution of composites in NASCAR
The growing role of carbon fiber in stock car racing.
Scott Francis
Contributing Editor, CompositesWorld
Quarantreat offers fast-build medical isolation studio for COVID-19 containment
Rapid dispatch design uses LitePan composite structural insulated panels and LiteTex thermoplastic composite laminates.
Boeing terminates Embraer deal; Embraer objects
Boeing says Embraer failed to meet certain conditions required for the joint venture the two companies sought to create. Embraer says Boeing has manufactured false claims as a pretext to avoid the cost of its commitment to the deal.
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.
Italian research agency fights COVID-19 with smart shelters using biocomposites
SOS Smart Operating Shelter project offers fast-build mobile healthcare structures using natural fiber/biopolymer sandwich panels.
CETMA: composites R&D and innovation in Italy
From design and simulation to inline inspection, induction welding, continuous compression molding and recycled carbon fiber, this lab to support industry is advancing composites in aerospace, automotive, construction and more.
U.S. DOT, EPA set new automotive emissions, fuel efficiency standards
Under the new standards, the projected overall industry average required fuel economy in MYs 2021-2026 is 40.4 miles per gallon, compared to 46.7 mpg in MY 2025 under the 2012 standards.