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
ITHEC 2020 finalizes technical program
Agenda includes emerging technologies, welding, a panel discussion and the new Advanced Thermoplastic Composite 3D Printing Forum.
JEC World 2020 preview: TeXtreme
Spread tow brand TeXtreme is releasing new versions of its fabric in multiple colors, in collaboration with Hypetex.
Solvay showcases low-cost prepreg and parts approach using Cygnet Texkimp filament winder
High-speed, tailored preforms are used with Solvay double diaphragm forming (DDF) and compression molding to produce cost-effective, medium-volume auto and aero parts.
Compression RTM for production of future aerostructures
Automated preforming and 5-min resin infiltration show a way forward for lower-cost CFRP primary structures.
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.
HUESKER develops W8SVR Neolaminate, refinement of organosheets
Continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite offers up to 20% less weight or 35% higher flexural stiffness.
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 Editor, CompositesWorld
Natural fiber composites: What’s holding them back?
Natural fiber reinforcements have been available for some time, but factors such as compatibility with current processes and geographic availability continue to limit widespread use.
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.
HP-RTM for serial production of cost-effective CFRP aerostructures
Merging automotive process and tooling with aerospace quality to meet increasing production rates.
Large, high-volume, infused composite structures on the aerospace horizon
Infused carbon fiber composite structures are not new, but they have never been built at the rates anticipated for next-generation, single-aisle aircraft. It is a daunting prospect — but a feasible one.
Combining materials for better bicycles
Bicycle manufacturer HIA Velo combines composite materials to make its products more durable.
Making better composite bikes in Arkansas
Bicycle manufacturer HIA Velo (Little Rock, AR, US), maker of carbon fiber bikes, is using a combination of composite materials to make their products more durable.
First all-CFRP fuselage in Mexico
UNAQ and RHEM Composites help produce body of third prototype for Oaxaca Aerospace’s Pegasus P-400T.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
CAMX 2018: Second look, more new developments
Curved pultrusion for automotive, Smart Susceptors for primary structure repairs and Huntsman advances leaf springs for trucks, carbon wheels for automotive, “thin-ply” ailerons with Airbus and Nanocomp Technologies.
Safe cycling: Keys to composite bike design integrity
Steps bike designers and manufacturers must take to keep high-performance carbon fiber bikes safe, upright and on the road or trial.
How is tow spread?
ITA characterizes tow spreading processes and parameters as it develops new technology to speed production (100 m/min) and reduce width variation (<1mm).
Rear wall reboot: One-stop, tow to tape to CFRP part
Audi and Voith Composites iterate the CFRP rear wall from R8 sports car to A8 luxury sedan via an automated production line able to output hundreds of parts per day.
Spread tow brings new life to legacy markets
Spread tow and thin ply open new opportunities in composites for golf shafts/driveshafts, boats and spacecraft thanks to improvements in lead time, weight and performance.
The spread of spread tow
Advancing from “lighter and thinner” to boosting strength, stiffness, impact resistance and productivity, spread tow unlocks new applications and markets.
Hexcel materials, distribution partner selected for Gunboat 68 yacht
A range of Hexcel HiMax carbon fiber multiaxials and PrimeTex spread tow woven fabrics enhance an all-carbon-fiber luxury catamaran.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
TeXtreme introduces ±45° fabric
TeXtreme has launched a new ±45° spread tow-based fabric called Spread Tow Grid.
TeXtreme used in next generation of bandy sticks
Inxide and Eventsport collaborate to develop a new bandystick reinforced with spread tow carbon fiber from Oxeon.
Cevotec now offers tapes for AFP/ATL
Cevotec’s cevoTape carbon fiber tape for automated placement processes is now commercially available.
Cevotec dry-fiber bindered tape available for automated placement
Manufacturer of SAMBA automated placement systems offers high-quality material aimed to make series CFRP production economical for non-aerospace applications.
Faction Skis feature TeXtreme spread tow fabrics
Each Prime 4.0 ski from Faction Skis weighs just 1740g and is optimized for high-performance, technical skiing.
Composite chef’s knife a chef d’oeuvre
A while back I blogged about a luxurious version of a champagne flute, via carbon fiber and gold. The designer, Ragnar Friberg, is at it again, this time with a composite take on the chef’s knife.
