Surface 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.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
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.
Toray reduces carbon fiber and prepreg production
Toray will suspend operations in Spartanburg, S.C., U.S., and reduce prepreg capacity in Tacoma, Wash., U.S.
Kitty Hawk ends eVTOL Flyer aircraft program
Designed with composite materials, the eVTOL aircraft was a major milestone for urban air mobility.
Germany's aerodyn launches rotor blade for 11-15 MW turbines
The rotor blade boasts CFRP-GFRP spar caps, a 128-meter rotor diameter, an adjustable design and more.
New automotive company introduces carbon fiber two-seater sportscar
Part of Formula One supplier Mulholland Group, U.K.-based Mulholland Automotive has designed its own carbon fiber-intensive sportscar for light weight and aesthetics.
Siemens Gamesa launches 14-MW offshore direct drive turbine
The SG 14-222 DD wind turbine 108-meter blades, a lightweight nacelle and more.
Racing to build tomorrow’s automotive composites workforce
Recent graduates share experiences gained from collegiate automotive design, engineering and motorsport competition Formula SAE.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
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.
Strata's workforce leaders share perspectives on women in manufacturing
UAE-based aerostructures manufacturer Strata Manufacturing prides itself on providing opportunities for its multinational, female-dominant workforce.
JEC Group announces 2020 Innovation Awards winners
The 13 winners were announced during a virtual ceremony on May 13.
Boeing announces first unmanned Loyal Wingman defense aircraft
The first of three prototypes, the Loyal Wingman’s artificial intelligence application and its use of composites soars above the milestone set for unmanned aircraft.
Airbus CEO outlines short- and long-term goals
Guillaume Faury says recovery of commercial passenger air travel is coming, and he wants to position Airbus to be ready to serve when that day arrives.
Third patent issued for flexible thermoplastic prepreg
Technology enabling wider tapes and easier weaving/braiding for void-free laminates now offered by Precept One LLC
German railway bridge suspended on CFRP hangers
The 72 CFRP hangers on the 127-meter-long railway bridge met installation, mass and sustainability goals.
Grace Nehls
Assistant Editor, CompositesWorld
Composites fare well at 2020 PACE Awards
This year’s automotive supplier award winners included composite bumper beam, liftgate and pickup box applications.
4M demonstrates large-diameter carbon fiber production
4M Carbon Fiber, working with textile-grade polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor producer Dralon GbmH, has used its plasma oxidation technology to manufacture large-diameter carbon fiber.
Graphene-reinforced carbon fibers may offer path to stronger, cheaper composites
Graphene (0.075 weight %) added to PAN precursor exhibited 225% increase in carbon fiber tensile strength and 184% increase in modulus.
National Composites Centre leads dismantlable joints research
Adhesive additive technology is reported to make composite parts easier to dismantle, maintain and recycle.
CSIRO: Developing higher-quality, higher-strength, lower-cost carbon fibers
SIROPAN precursor aims for >20% increase in carbon fiber properties with increased control via RAFT polymerization, FLOW processing and novel metrology.
Polypropylene honeycomb lightens, strengthens automotive panels
Polypropylene honeycomb cores from ThermHex are used by Brazilian OEM DPA Moldados to make the trunk floor of the Hyundai Creta ix25.
Coriolis Composites and Edixia develop inline inspection for AFP
Video and discussion of how the sensor and software operate to boost composites productivity
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
Welded thermoplastic composite keel beam demonstrator achieved
EURECAT and partner companies complete Clean Sky 2 KEELBEMAN project, demonstrating TRL3 primary structure technology for future aircraft.
Composite Advantage ships FRP camels to U.S. Naval base in Guam
Low-maintenance, corrosion-resistant fiber-reinforced polymer flotation structures solve infrastructure maintenance issues for a U.S. Navy base.
Toyota and Hino agree to develop heavy-duty fuel cell truck using composite storage tanks
Type IV tanks will help provide 600-kilometer range and meet commercial vehicle requirements
Kanfit coping with COVID-19 and managing growth using Composites 4.0 systems
Bluetooth sensors and AI track parts and tools, save time and suggest production line improvements.
Teijin's Sereebo CFRTP adopted for 4K video cameras
Carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics add strength, reduce weight for Panasonic camera components.
Tepex reinforces child seat headrest demonstrator
Continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics and a new PCIM-based production process demonstrate potential for lightweight structural safety components.