Graphene 101: Forms, properties and applications
Graphene-enhanced composites find new applications across end markets as the supply chain continues to mature.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
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.
Narrow UD tapes to bridge the ATL-AFP gap
Automated tape laying and automated fiber placement are similar, but not the same. Can narrow tapes provide a middle ground with advantages of both processes for next-gen aircraft?
Composites speed concrete facade fabrication
The 45-story One South First building, on the 11-acre Domino Park campus in Brooklyn, N.Y., features a geometrically complex concrete facade made, in part, with composite molds fabricated using large-format additive manufacturing.
Revolutionizing the composites cost paradigm, Part 2: Forming
Boeing-led parts trials explore infusion, compression molding and thermoplastics, offering lessons and supply chain options to better compete with aluminum.
Curved pultrusions enter production
Corvette CFRP rear bumper beam is the auto industry’s first use of new technology.
The evolution of composites in NASCAR
The growing role of carbon fiber in stock car racing.
Vitrimers: The reprocessable thermoset
Vitrimers are not classic thermosets and they are not classic thermoplastics, but they behave like both and as such offer the best of both worlds. CW catches up with Mallinda for an explanation.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
Revolutionizing the composites cost paradigm, Part 1: Feedstock
Highly-aligned, short-fiber Tailorable Universal Feedstock for Forming achieves aerospace properties, metal-like formability in zero-waste, fiber-to-parts pilot plant.
Greener camping: Sonic X breaks barriers
Prototype travel trailer generates excitement, leads to new commercial models.
Automation options arise for labor-intensive composites
Typically labor-intensive fabrication processes have more automation options as new technology works in concert with operators to improve efficiency.
CFRP preform technology is fast, flexible, efficient
Porsche racecar is first to sport part-via-preform technology.
One-piece, one-cure, infused carbon fiber wheel is ready to roll
ESE Carbon Co.’s new carbon fiber wheel uses tailored fiber placement and custom presses to minimize waste and improve scalability.
Overmolding on the cheap
Innovative injection/compression composites overmolding approach combines smaller injection molded inserts with compression molded parts.
Data security in composites manufacturing
The U.S. Department of Defense is imposing new, strict rules on companies that supply composite parts and structures in a defense contract supply chain. Understanding and following those rules will not be trivial.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Additive Molding promises mass-produced high-performance composites
Arris Composites introduces a patent-pending technology that manufactures high-performance thermoplastic composite components with a combination of additive manufacturing technology and high-speed compression molding. Has mass production of advanced composite components finally arrived?
3D printing continuous fiber on the desktop
Additive manufacturing technology company expands offerings to include high-performance composites.
Modular, mobile, multiple robotics poised to change the AFP/ATL paradigm
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is working on two multi-robot automated fiber and tape placement technologies that could change the paradigm in large-part aerocomposites manufacturing.
Carbon fiber/epoxy for automotive mass reduction, mass production
IACMI precompetitive research explores carbon fiber-reinforced prepreg, SMC with novel matrix for structural passenger-car applications.
Rocket module manufactured with in-situ consolidation survives first flight test
A carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRP) module developed at the Technical University of Munich survived its first launch — and a “hard landing” — in March.
Compression presses keep evolving in response to composites innovation
Shorter, lighter, smaller footprint Fiberpress machines are ideal for facilities with lower ceilings, automated production lines.
Composites fill the gaps in museum dinosaur skeletons
Ontario-based Research Casting International uses composites to build lightweight, durable dinosaur castings for museums around the world.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Injection-forming for high-performance, unitized thermoplastic structures
Combining braided tape, overmolding and form-locking, herone produces one-piece, high-torque gear-driveshaft as demonstrator for broad range of applications.
Acrylonitrile from biomass scales up
Affordable, sustainable, efficient manufacture of biomass-based acrylonitrile — the primary feedstock of carbon fiber production — is leaving the lab and entering the real world.
Evolving AFP for the next generation
‘Aerospace quality at automotive pace’ is the mantra of the supply chain being developed for next-generation commercial aircraft. Automation is evolving to meet the challenge.
Spirit AeroSystems debuts next-generation composite fuselage panel
The 18-by-12-foot (5.5-by-3.7-meter) demonstrator panel debuted at the Paris Air Show features integrated skin and stringers and offers substantial cost savings combined with strong performance attributes.
Split tow carbon fiber boosts SMC performance
Pre-spread, pre-scored tow band provides better fiber dispersion, wetout, molding properties.
Fusing waterjet, laser for efficiency in CFRP/CMC machining
Laser MicroJet technology offers high accuracy and speed without heat issues, burring or replacement of cutting tools.