IACMI: Driving innovation in the advanced composites industry
Since its start in 2015, the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) has come a long way in its mission of advancing composites innovation. CTO Uday Vaidya reflects on the past five years.
ITA RWTH Aachen University launches fiber-coating line, carbon fiber research
The Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University is presenting innovations in glass and carbon fiber production at the joint stand of the Aachen Center for Integrative Lightweight Construction.
JEC World 2020 preview: Michelman
Michelman is showcasing its expanding portfolio of water-based fiber sizing solutions, including the Hydrosize product line.
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 preview: Michelman
At CAMX 2019, Michelman is featuring its new line of Hydrosize carbon fiber sizing solutions.
New Products: April 2019
CW’s roundup of new products for the composites industry – the past month has seen innovations from Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Airtech, Broetje-Automation, Chromaflo Technologies, Holland Composites BV, Michelman, Nouryon, Petro Lube, PostProcess Technologies, Sicomin, Toray and Xenia.
The still-promised potential of basalt fiber composites
Although the long-anticipated market surge in basalt fiber-reinforced polymer composites remains largely in the future, basalt fiber manufacturers are making headway over the technical and market hurdles toward large-scale application.
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.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
Michelman launches Hydrosize Carbon fiber sizing solutions
Hydrosize Carbon reportedly allows carbon fiber manufacturers to optimize the interfacial adhesion between the polymers and the fibers by tailoring the surface chemistry of the reinforcement fibers to the chemistry of the matrix resin.
Building confidence in recycled carbon fiber
Recycled carbon fiber is proving, increasingly, to be a cost-effective, environmentally sustainable composite solution for automotive and other high-volume applications.
Reflections on carbon fiber
Highlights from the December 2018 Carbon Fiber conference include industry leader predictions about commoditization of composites, next-generation aircraft and automotive.
CAMX 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.
People on the Move: August 2018
CW’s monthly roundup of people on the move in the composites industry.
U.S. styrene-reduction mandates: Go or no-go?
Legislative changes are slow in coming, but technology forges ahead.
Split tow carbon fiber boosts SMC performance
Pre-spread, pre-scored tow band provides better fiber dispersion, wetout, molding properties.
Peggy Malnati
Contributing Writer
PEEK vs. PEKK vs. PAEK and Continuous Compression Molding
Suppliers of thermoplastics and carbon fiber chime in regarding PEEK vs. PEKK, and now PAEK, as well as in-situ consolidation — the supply chain for thermoplastic tape composites continues to evolve.
PEEK or PEKK in future TPC aerostructures?
Which is better for in-situ consolidated thermoplastic composite primary structures? Materials play a part as to whether a one-step or two-step process will prevail.
Carbon fiber recycling facility to recycle 2,000 tons of material per year
Carbon Fiber Recycling, Inc. uses proprietary continuous thermolysis equipment to remove epoxy resins and any sizings from carbon fiber waste.
JEC World 2018: Exhibit previews
JEC World 2018 is next week, March 6-8 in Paris, France. CompositesWorld offers these previews of what some exhibitors will feature in their stands.
JEC World 2018 preview: Michelman
Michelman to highlight fiber sizing’s impact on composite performance at JEC World 2018.
I want to say two words to you: “Thermoplastic tapes”
Thermoplastic tapes are not new to composites, but they soon will join the primary aerostructures material palette and could be their future.
Fiber sizing, tow spreading and the quest for encapsulation
Fiber sizing is easily overlooked by composites fabricators, but it will be increasingly important to optimization of fiber performance.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
CAMX 2017: Highlights from the floor
3D printing and nanotechnology developments promise to cut time and cost in composite structures production while recycling and sustainability continue to grow in importance.
Michelman announces partnerships with EFT and Mafic
This past week, Michelman announced that it will partner with Engineered Fibers Technology LLC (EFT, Shelton, CT, US) and with Mafic (Kells, County Meath, Ireland and Shelby, NC, US) to increase the performance and surface characteristics of its fibers and composites.
State of the Composites Industry
Do you have your own assessment of the state of the composites industry? If so, let me know at jeff@compositesworld.com. And have a great 2018.
Headed to CAMX 2017? Here's some of what you will find
CAMX 2017 is coming up, Sept. 11-14 in Orlando, FL, US. If you are headed to the show, CompositesWorld has gathered technology and product previews from several exhibitors to help you understand what you can expect to find at the event.
CAMX 2017 preview: Michelman
Michelman (Cincinnati, OH, US), a developer and manufacturer of fiber sizing and resin modifiers, is featuring new fiber sizing formulations, including solutions suitable for use with glass, carbon and other structural fibers.
SMC: Old dog, more tricks
In the sheet molding compound renaissance, the advent of new resins and compounds are broadening the definition and application of this versatile family of composites.
