Hexcel Composites Suppliers Showroom

Biomaterials make strides toward composites sustainability

A compilation of trends in development or application of natural fibers, bio-based resins and more showcases industry players, educational institutes and global projects.

Hexcel transitions winter sports prepregs to HexPly Nature range

Full production conversation to the company’s bio-derived product range is one step of many Hexcel has taken to deliver sustainability to winter sport industry customers.

Hexcel releases 1K reinforcement fabric option

Woven fabric adds to portfolio of 3K, 6K, 12K and 24K options, suited for a variety of industrial applications.

Hexcel introduces mid-temp Flex-Core HRH-302 honeycomb core

Bismaleimide (BMI) option to serve complex curvatures and thermal management needs of military, commercial and UAM aircraft.

Low-cost, efficient CFRP anisogrid lattice structures

CIRA uses patented parallel winding, dry fiber, silicone tooling and resin infusion to cut labor for lightweight, heavily loaded space applications.

Plant tour: Airbus, Illescas, Spain

Airbus’ Illescas facility, featuring highly automated composites processes for the A350 lower wing cover and one-piece Section 19 fuselage barrels, works toward production ramp-ups and next-generation aircraft.

Autocomposites market is expected to double revenue by 2032

Increase in demand for lightweight vehicles, stringent regulations and a rise in EV adoption are factors that are currently driving growth in automotive composites, according to a recent report.

Aernnova Composites, leader in composites R&D

This sidebar to CW’s July 2024 feature article reviews the company’s achievements and capabilities through years of composites R&D programs.

Hexcel, Fairmat agreement bolsters U.S. composite recycling efforts

A 10-year agreement between the partners’ Salt Lake City, Utah, facilities will build upon previous agreements for responsible environmental stewardship in industry.

JEC World 2024 highlights: Forwarding initiatives surrounding sustainability and mobility

Themes at the forefront of JEC World 2024 included solutions for mobility applications and sustainable materials, technologies and processes for composites manufacturing.

Hexcel appoints Tom Gentile as CEO and president

Hexcel hires the former president and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems as Nick Stanage transitions to an executive chairman role.

JEC World 2024 highlights: Thermoplastic composites, CMC and novel processes

CW senior technical editor Ginger Gardiner discusses some of the developments and demonstrators shown at the industry’s largest composites exhibition and conference.

Composites end markets: Pressure vessels (2024)

The market for pressure vessels used to store zero-emission fuels is rapidly growing, with ongoing developments and commercialization of Type 3, 4 and 5 tanks.

Hexcel, Arkema present CFRTP aerospace demonstrator in HAICoPAS

Project optimized design and production of UD composite tapes reinforced with a PEKK matrix, using a continuous in-situ welding (ISW) assembly system.

Hexcel launches HexTow IM9 24K intermediate modulus carbon fiber

Workhorse carbon fiber is particularly suited to primary and secondary aerospace vehicle structure development, aided by its high tensile strength and modulus.

Industry versatility served via novel continuous carbon fibers, prepregs

JEC World 2024: Hexcel celebrates the success of its customers with latest composites technology solutions and applications on display for the aerospace, automotive, energy, sports and marine markets.

New online training course targets prepreg basics

JEC World 2024: Composites Expert highlights how its E-Learning Composites Academy platform supports flexible industry learning with new courses developed with Stelia Aerospace North America.

Designing and manufacturing turbine test nacelles

Michigan-based Ground Test Solutions (GTS) shares the design and manufacturing processes involved in building composite nacelle components used in testing jet and helicopter engines.

Longtime composites leader Scott Beckwith passes away at age 82

Dr. Scott Williams Beckwith held a distinguished and well-respected career in composites, serving nearly 50 years at SAMPE in addition to forming his own composites consulting company.

From the CW Archives: Fast-cure epoxies for automotive fabrication

Sara Black’s 2015 report on the development of snap-cure epoxies for automotive manufacturing still resonates today.

Innovation Award finalists revealed for JEC World 2024

Returning to the international composites trade show are the Innovation Awards, representing up to 33 finalists in 11 categories that highlight composites innovation excellence and fruitful collaborations.

Top 10 CompositesWorld products of 2023

A variety of novel materials, processes targeting the composites industry’s light weight, sustainability and more rapid production efforts made CW’s top 10 most popular product pieces of 2023 based on Google Analytics.

Upcoming CW Tech Days navigates composites in AAM

Don’t miss the Dec. 7th “CW Tech Days: Composites in advanced air mobility,” from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., where materials suppliers and OEMS will discuss challenges and provide insight to better prep the composites industry for the AAM market’s demands.

Type V pressure vessel enables lunar lander

Exploratory IM-1 lunar landing mission to feature a unique, all-composite unibody Type V pressure vessel designed for cryogenic propulsion.

Plant tour: Daher Shap’in TechCenter and composites production plant, Saint-Aignan-de-Grandlieu, France

Co-located R&D and production advance OOA thermosets, thermoplastics, welding, recycling and digital technologies for faster processing and certification of lighter, more sustainable composites.

Hexcel presents HexPly prepregs geared toward marine

New intermediate and high modulus HexPly M79 composite materials are optimized for best-in-class performance.

Next-gen composites manufacturing: Combining material, machine and mold cavity data with analytics

Using a sensor, an edge device and machine learning software, sensXPERT sees into processes and is improving quality and cutting scrap, cycle time and energy use for composites customers like ZF and Carbon Revolution.

Engine vane demonstrates potential for gapped, unidirectional dry fiber for infusion

GKN Aerospace and its partners developed an aircraft demonstrator component made with TeXtreme’s latest Gapped UD material, proving out a dry, infusible tape meant to compare in performance to UD prepreg.

Modular, robotic cells enable high-rate RTM using any material format

Airborne’s automated ply placement systems at Airbus, GKN Aerospace and Teijin Automotive Technologies aim to maximize flexibility and intelligent automation.

Celebrating National Composites Week

August 21-25, 2023 is National Composites Week. This year’s theme is “Composites Are Now,” recognizing the ways composites are shaping the world today.

Composites manufacturing for general aviation aircraft

General aviation, certified and experimental, has increasingly embraced composites over the decades, a path further driven by leveraged innovation in materials and processes and the evolving AAM market.

Hexcel launches novel RTM resin, rapid-cure prepreg for aerospace

HexPly M51 prepreg and HiFlow HF610F-2 resin add to Hexcel’s delivery of faster cure cycles and thus higher production build rates.

JEC World 2023 highlights: Innovative prepregs, bio-resins, automation, business development

CW’s Jeff Sloan checks in with JEC innovations from Solvay, A&P, Nikkiso, Voith, Hexcel, KraussMaffei, FILL, Web Industries, Sicomin, Bakelite Synthetics, Westlake Epoxy and Reliance Industries.

Airbus final assembly line in China delivers its first A321neo

In March 2023, the Tianjin-based final assembly facility commissioned a composites-intensive A321neo for Juneyao Air.

Pacific Coast Composites acquired by specialty chemical distributor

GracoRoberts anticipates offering current and new aerospace industry customers an extensive offering of composite products with short lead times.

Hexcel announces newly expanded engineered core operations

The grand opening of the company’s completed expansion increases the Morocco plant to 24,000 square meters, will meet growing demand for aerocomposites.

Notched testing of sandwich composites: The sandwich open-hole flexure test

A second new test method has been standardized by ASTM for determining notch sensitivity of sandwich composites.

Plant tour: Middle River Aerostructure Systems, Baltimore, Md., U.S.

The historic Martin Aircraft factory is advancing digitized automation for more sustainable production of composite aerostructures.

Natural fiber composites: Growing to fit sustainability needs

Led by global and industry-wide sustainability goals, commercial interest in flax and hemp fiber-reinforced composites grows into higher-performance, higher-volume applications.

Hexcel opens new R&T center in Salt Lake City

Hexcel’s new 100,000-square-foot Center of Research & Technology Excellence at its Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., campus, will be the focus of the company’s innovation efforts.

NASA awardees to develop sustainable aviation composite tech

Fourteen Advanced Composites Consortium organizations support the evaluation and development of next-gen thermosets, resin-infused composites and thermoplastics at small scales.

Continuous Composites unveils commercial CF3D Enterprise machine

Purchased by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the milestone was celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and technical symposium, highlighting the system’s ability to accelerate the R&D of composites manufacturing.

JEC Composites Innovation Award 2023 winners

The JEC Group has announced the winner for each of the ten Innovation Award categories. Learn more about the winners, their projects and future expectations in person or via livestreaming at JEC World 2023.

ASCEND program update: Designing next-gen, high-rate auto and aerospace composites

GKN Aerospace, McLaren Automotive and U.K.-based partners share goals and progress aiming at high-rate, Industry 4.0-enabled, sustainable materials and processes.

JEC Composites presents 2023 Innovation Award finalists

This year’s 30 Innovation Award finalists representing 11 categories portray excellence in composites innovation and fruitful collaboration.

Composites opportunities in eVTOLs

As eVTOL OEMs seek to advance program certification, production scale-up and lightweighting, AAM’s penetration into the composites market is moving on an upward trajectory.

People in Composites: January 2023

Beyond Gravity, Wisconsin Oven, Exel Composites, Corebon, Strongwell, Hexcel, Norco Composites and many others in the industry have announced updates to company personnel.

NCAMP qualifies Victrex LMPAEK thermoplastic material system

Novel Victrex AE 250-AS4 UD tape has been approved for publication in the NCAMP allowables database for use in aerospace programs.

Top 10 CompositesWorld products of 2022

It was a big year for new products in the composites industry. Take a look at CompositesWorld’s top 10 most popular product pieces based on Google Analytics and check out what you might have missed.

Optimizing AFP for complex-cored CFRP fuselage

Automated process cuts emissions, waste and cost for lightweight RACER helicopter side shells.

High glass transition temperature, 100% bio-based thermoset resins for space composites

With the European Commission Restrictions Roadmap soon banning entire classes of chemical substances found in fossil fuel-based synthetic polymers, the space industry is looking to a chemical combination to produce competitive thermoset resins.

Novel dry tape for liquid molded composites

MTorres seeks to enable next-gen aircraft and open new markets for composites with low-cost, high-permeability tapes and versatile, high-speed production lines.

Plant tour: Avel Robotics, Lorient, France

From AFP hydrofoils to more efficient aircraft parts, Avel uses digital design, multiprocess production and a rule-breaking approach for complex 4D composites.

Hexcel receives Sustainability Award from Airbus Defence and Space

Company recognized for partnership that repurposes composites waste from European operations.

Fairmat inaugurates Bouguenais carbon fiber recycling facility

Automated, industralized recycling of more than 3,500 ton of carbon fiber waste/per year in France, with expansion into the U.S. planned for 2023.

Archer Aviation sets ambitious target to build 250 eVTOLs in 2025

With its upcoming unveiling of the composite Midnight eVTOL, Archer Aviation forecasts a rapid production ramp-up in the following years.

Hexcel HexPly M9.6 prepregs receive type approval for marine use

Third-party certification guarantees lightweight composite quality, performance and consistency for more sustainable marine vessels.

Matrix Composite Materials Co. celebrates 25 years

Since 1997 the U.K.-based company has increasingly developed its reputation as a materials distributor for companies Armacell, Hexcel and Sicomin.

Hexcel, Albany International Q2 2022 financial reports reflect increased revenue

Despite the ongoing risk of inflation and supply chain disruptions, Hexcel and Albany report business wins, air travel recovery and solid results.

Plant tour: Dowty Propellers, Gloucester, U.K.

Transforming decades of design and RTM production reliability into more sustainable, next-generation composite propellers.

Hexcel to supply carbon fiber prepreg for Dassault F10X program

The Falcon F10X will be the first Dassault Aviation business jet program to incorporate high-performance carbon fiber in the manufacture of its aircraft wings.

Hexcel joins collaboration program at Spirit’s Aerospace Innovation Centre

Collaborative activities include development of RTM production applications highlighting future opportunities for liquid composite molding.

Fairmat to recycle 30% of industry’s carbon fiber waste in Europe one year after inception

Fairmat’s success originates from numerous customers and partnerships, and is expected to expand through personnel recruitment to Northern Europe, German and Spanish markets.

SAMPE North America seeks active volunteers for technical committees

The global professional member society encourages SAMPE members and non-members who are interested in actively engaging, sharing expertise and networking to develop advanced technological solutions.

High-performance, high-detail continuous 3D-printed carbon fiber parts

Since 2014, Mantis Composites has built its customer and R&D capabilities specifically toward design, printing and postprocessing of highly engineered aerospace and defense parts.

Materials & Processes: Tooling for composites

Composite parts are formed in molds, also known as tools. Tools can be made from virtually any material. The material type, shape and complexity depend upon the part and length of production run. Here's a short summary of the issues involved in electing and making tools.

Materials & Processes: Resin matrices for composites

The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement, gives the composite component its shape and determines its surface quality. A composite matrix may be a polymer, ceramic, metal or carbon. Here’s a guide to selection.

JEC World 2022, Part 3: Emphasizing emerging markets, thermoplastics and carbon fiber

CW editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan identifies companies exhibiting at JEC World 2022 that are advancing both materials and technologies for the growing AAM, hydrogen, automotive and sustainability markets.

Multi-flange RTM frames enable radical rear fuselage design

The Clean Sky 2 Advanced Rear End (ARE) demonstrator combines patented new frame design, thermoset and thermoplastic composites and smart tooling to advance aircraft design and cut weight, cost and production time.

Fairmat reaches agreements with Siemens Gamesa, Duqueine, Tarmac Aerosave to recycle composites

Recycled carbon fiber derived from wind turbine blades and aircraft will be transported and analyzed at Fairmat’s facility for consideration in repurposed products.

Hexcel announces HexPly Nature Range

Natural fibers combined with bio-derived epoxy resins provide sustainable options for industrial markets with same high performance.

SuCoHS project: Advancing composite solutions for parts with high thermal and mechanical loads

New materials, structural concepts and manufacturing using sensors for composites that resist fire, temperature and loads while providing weight and cost savings versus metals.

Cycling forward with bike frame materials and processes

Fine-tuning of conventional materials and processes characterizes today’s CFRP bicycle frame manufacturing, whether in the large factories of Asia or at reshored facilities in North America and Europe. Thermoplastic resins and automated processes are on the horizon, though likely years away from high-volume production levels.

Archer Aviation plans to work with Hexcel to advance eVTOL production capabilities

Under the proposed relationship, Hexcel will supply its high-performance carbon fiber prepreg material for the production aircraft.

Hexcel carbon fiber selected for Artemis 9 mission booster production

Lightweight composite design for BOLE boosters enable increased performance for NASA’s future missions to the moon and Mars.

Upcoming CW Tech Days webinar assesses virtual testing, qualification for composite structures

CW Tech Days: Design, Simulation and Testing Technologies for Next-Gen Composite Structures will be held April 21, 2022, and will assess design, simulation, failure analysis, digital twins and more.

Hexcel introduces G-Vent technology for thick, OOA marine structures

Hexcel marine prepregs are available with G-Vent integrated, enabling out-of-autoclave processing with reduced time, cost and autoclave-comparable porosity for highly loaded masts and foils without debulking.

Expansion begins at Hexcel engineered core operations plant in Morocco

The site will double in size by 2023 to meet increasing demand for lightweight advanced composites from aerospace customers.

National Composites Center and Meggitt demonstrate linear dielectric sensor for liquid composites processing

Research at Cranfield University is further developed via RTM part trials in NCC’s Technology Pull-Through Program

NIAR-WSU, Victrex begin NCAMP materials and process qualification for AFP

In-depth investigation into AFP machine variability on composite allowables begins on carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) test panels to achieve certification framework.

Envisioning high-volume, 100% composite wheels

Vision Wheel debuted its first carbon fiber composite wheel at CAMX 2021, claiming its low-cost, high-volume process can be scaled up for performance vehicles, UTVs and — ultimately — passenger EVs.

Hexcel composite materials lightweight Sunseeker 90 Ocean luxury yacht

Hexcel’s HexPly XF and HexPly SuperFIT surface technologies yields parts with paint-ready surfaces for builder of luxury yachts.

Hexcel prepregs power cleaner ocean transport with Chantiers de l’Atlantique Silenseas project

HexPly supplied M9.6 carbon fiber prepregs for a 34-meter-high cruise ship mast. Silenseas production scale-up objectives for future vessels intend for the development of three 66-meter-high carbon fiber masts.

METEOR project studies optimization of thermoplastic prepreg production

Completed project aimed at optimizing and reducing the cost and energy involved in CFRTP prepreg manufacture, with the end goal of industrialization.

Hexcel partners with Metyx for high-performance carbon fiber pultrusion technology

Combined expertise within the composites industry will contribute to the manufacture of profiles made from polyurethane resin and UD carbon fiber for the wind energy market.

The outlook for carbon fiber supply and demand

The picture painted at Carbon Fiber 2021 concerning the current supply and demand for carbon fiber indicates an in-flux, rapidly changing environment across a majority of end markets.

Hexcel, Fairmat partnership aims to recycle carbon fiber prepregs

Cuttoffs generated by Hexcel’s European plants will be repurposed by the end of 2022 into high value-added products.

Plant tour: ATC Manufacturing, Post Falls, Idaho, U.S.

ATC is at the top of the list when it comes to thermoplastic composites and aerostructures manufacturing. CW explains why.

Composite ring frame improves safety, cost for workhorse helicopter

Airbus Helicopters replaces aluminum primary structure with CFRP using multi-piece preform and single-shot infusion.

Designing for automated composites manufacturing of low-volume aerostructures

The commercial aerospace industry is heavily focused on design for efficient high-rate manufacturing, but there is still need for automated, affordable fabrication of low-rate aerostructures.

The future of composites in wind, hydrogen applications: CW Trending Episode 5

In this episode of CW Trending, Hexcel's Claude Despierres discusses current and future demands for composite materials, especially carbon fiber, in the wind energy industry, as well as supply, cost and performance of these materials in the hydrogen storage market.

Hexcel, HP Composites develop carbon fiber Class A body panels

Italian component producer combines composites processing expertise with Hexcel HexPly XF3 surfacing material, HexPly M47 and HexPly M49 prepregs for supersport sedan external body panels.

Leveraging motorsports composites for next-gen rotorcraft

FastCan consortium integrates hollow, solid and cored CFRP into single-cure, single-piece canopy for reduced weight and cost.

Hexcel signs long-term manufacturing contract with Boeing

Hexcel will produce HexPEKK-100 manufactured-to-print aerospace structures, including various air flow ducting applications and other supporting elements, for the Boeing 777X.

Ready or not, here come flying taxis and hydrogen

Composites are ripe for entry into a variety of markets, but advanced air mobility and hydrogen storage are poised to put unprecedented pressure on the supply chain.

Georgia Tech leads effort to tackle the composite and hybrid materials challenge

New National Science Foundation (NSF) center combines industry and academia, uses analytics, AI to modernize how manufacturers repair composites.

Out-of-autoclave VBO rear spar, thermoplastic ribs target Wing of Tomorrow

French Tier 1 aerospace supplier Daher develops out-of-autoclave materials and process technologies for application in next-gen structures for the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow program.

HexPly M901 prepreg accelerates product development cycles

Hexcel’s HexPly M901 prepreg system reportedly reduces production time of composite leaf springs.

U.S. Air Force funds effort to improve composite rotor blade design analysis capabilities for AAM

AnalySwift partners with Weber State, BYU, UAMMI and Hexcel for materials research, qualification and to extend VABS’ capabilities to AAM blades for a user-friendly and highly rigorous simulation framework.

Integrating antennas into composite aerostructures

ACASIAS project integrates Ku-band array antenna in novel AFP orthogrid with drastically reduced tooling for more fuel-efficient, multifunctional CFRP aircraft fuselage panel.

Hexcel sponsorship showcases carbon fiber prepreg capabilities for UAV applications

Students from the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria developed a camera drone from Hexcel carbon fiber prepreg and resin systems for a 42% reduction in structural mass.

University of Bristol, NCC develop novel composite materials to assess performance in space

In-house developed matrices reinforced with carbon fiber will spend six months attached to the ISS to better understand and improve their functionality in extreme space conditions.

Speeding RTM with heat-flux sensors

Clean Sky 2 INNOTOOL 4.0 project advances cure monitoring for larger and less costly lightweight landing gear made using composites.

SAMPE announces neXus keynote speaker

Colleen Pritchett, president of the Americas Aerospace and Global Fibers business at Hexcel, will be delivering her keynote speech, “The Future of Composites and Hexcel’s Vision for the Industry,” at the SAMPE neXus event July 29.

Arevo debuts custom, 3D-printed composite scooter

Scotsman is a direct-to-consumer, tailor-made electric kickscooter with continuous carbon fiber/thermoplastic unibody frame, handlebars, stem and baseboard.

Reprocessable, repairable and recyclable epoxy resins for composites

CIDETEC matures 3R resins for aerospace applications via AIRPOXY program.

Hexcel to build a new Center of Excellence for Advanced Composites Innovation in Utah

Flagship facility will support next-generation developments in advanced composites technologies and serve to develop the state’s workforce within the next 12 years.

Heatcon to distribute Hexcel prepregs for UAV/AAM market

The partnership includes North American distribution of Hexcel carbon fiber prepreg tapes and fabrics to support urban air mobility manufacturing and repair.

First quarter 2021 results better position Hexcel to support post-pandemic industry

Q1 2021 net sales of $310 million reflect continued focus on cost controls throughout economic headwinds, projected to gradually step up in upcoming quarters.

Hexcel joins ASCEND project for composite development acceleration

Hexcel to collaborate and further develop HexPly, HiMax and HiTape technologies and incorporate its Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) products into the project framework.

University of South Alabama, MHP engage in research partnership for plastic composite material

ZT-CFRP, enriched with specifically oriented nanoparticles and reinforced with carbon fibers, shows considerable potential when compared to conventional CFRPs.

Report suggests up to $14.7 billion in eVTOL market growth by 2041

The demanding requirements of electric-powered flight are said to offer a promising market for a host of new technologies, aviation-grade batteries, electric motors and composite materials being a few.

GKN Aerospace and partners launch ASCEND to accelerate high-volume composite technologies

£39.6 million ASCEND consortium to strengthen the U.K. industry’s position as the leader of next-generation sustainable aircraft and future mobility technology.

Advancing the OOA infused wing box

MTorres integrates lower cover, front and rear spars into unitized flying demonstrator using one-shot, low-cost, portable production.

HexPly XF surface materials satisfy high-quality wind blade surface finish

Suitable for prepreg and infusion processes, Hexcel’s HexPly XF reduce shell manufacturing time by up to 2 hours and removes all surface defects prior to painting.

Leaders in composites and continuous fiber AM to speak at MarineAM event

Inaugural two-day conference in July will feature 9T Labs, BComp, Com&Sens, Hexcel, Airborne, moi composites and others.

Hexcel HexPly M9 prepregs receive DNV GL Type Approval Certification

Verification offers ship and boat builders a range of high-performance prepreg options for the manufacture of large composite structures in commercial marine craft.

Hexcel releases Q4 2020 financial results

Hexcel’s 2020 revenue was down 36.3% compared to 2019, but the company expects demand to stabilize throughout 2021 as the pandemic wanes and vaccine rollout progresses.

Flexible carbon fiber plates enable high-performance footwear

Carbitex’s flexible carbon fiber/thermoplastic composite plates use creative engineering to eliminate design compromises in athletic footwear.

Hexcel, Safran expand contract for composite materials in commercial aerospace programs

Long-term supplier contract amended to include Hexcel’s HexTow IM7 for the GE9X engine, as well as core, adhesives, prepregs and fabrics for additional aerospace applications.

ATL Composites contributes to concrete pillar remediation project

Six new support pillars incorporate Hexcel ZU300 UD carbon fiber and ATL’s Technirez R2517 epoxy resin with H2431 slow hardener that will protect against storm water issues.

ElectraFly, AnalySwift win U.S. Air Force STTR grants

Winning concept proposals include CBAM fabrication of aircraft parts, use of an infusion process for larger parts and development of an integrated computational blade engineering (ICBE) framework.

Dassault Systèmes, Purdue establish center of excellence

The 3DEXPERIENCE Education Center of Excellence in Advanced Composites at Purdue University aims to educate the next-generation workforce and accelerate Industry 4.0.

Hexcel third quarter financials reflect industry headwinds

Slowdown in commercial aerospace and the wind energy market has decreased Hexcel’s year-to-date sales by 32.6%. The company will close its wind energy glass fiber prepreg line in Windsor, Colo., U.S., in early November.

New 3dpbm market analysis division presents AM industry study results

Analysis of composites additive manufacturing performed by the new market analysis and consultancy group shows the market generating $10.6 billion in yearly revenues by 2030.

True Temper Sports adopts Hexcel HM54 carbon fiber

True Temper Sports, the leading manufacturer of golf shafts, has partnered with Hexcel to produce the carbon fiber for its most advanced product line yet.

Hexcel launches electrically conductive PEKK-based carbon fiber material

HexPEKK EM is a high-performance material for additive manufacturing that meets electromagnetic shielding, radiation absorption requirements.

Hexcel applies additive manufacturing to unmanned aerial vehicle systems

Hexcel’s HexAM process produces stiff, lightweight and complex components that are often too expensive or impossible to produce.

Arevo launches direct-to-customer 3D-printed bicycle

The Superstrata brand features a fully unibody carbon fiber/polyamide frame manufactured using Arevo’s direct deposition additive manufacturing process.

High-rate, automated aerospace RTM line delivers next-gen spoilers

At Spirit AeroSystem’s Prestwick facility in Scotland, a glimpse of the future of aerocomposites manufacturing in a resin transfer molding line for A320 spoilers.

ZAero project update

The 2019 final review demonstrated integration of an automated CFRP process chain: AFP inline inspection and rework, cure and resin flow sensors, part performance prediction and a decision support tool for line operators.

Plant tour: Hexcel, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.

The scale, precision, speed and quality of carbon fiber manufacture has evolved substantially since the material’s modern introduction in the late 1960s. Hexcel offers a glimpse of the state of the art today.

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.

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.

Hexcel HexPly M79 prepregs receive DNV GL Type Approval Certification

The new verification allows the materials to be used in all DNV GL classed vessels.

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

Hexcel carbon fiber prepreg selected for ultralight aircraft design

German aircraft specialist Flight Design is using HexPly M79 for composite parts on its F2 aircraft.

Transparency Market Research releases Aerospace Composites Market report

Findings predict the global aerospace composites market value and trends between 2016 and 2024.

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.

Hexcel, Woodward terminate planned merger

Uncertainty in the aerospace and industrial markets caused by the coronavirus pandemic have forced the two companies to terminate their planned merger of equals.

Hexcel low-temp-cure adhesive targets marine applications

Hexcel has launched its new low-temperature, fast-cure HexBond 679 adhesive film.

Composites in the race to space

Advanced materials use in current and upcoming NASA missions.

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.

Carbon fiber tapes enhance performance of cross-country skis

A ski manufacturer uses Hexcel dry carbon fiber tapes to increase cross-country ski performance, manufacturing efficiency and surface finish.

New Hexcel materials target marine, automotive, sporting goods

Hexcel is showcasing new composites technologies and parts that have been developed for the marine, automotive and sport industries.

Rolls-Royce starts manufacture of world's largest fan blades, made with composites, for UltraFan demonstrator

CFRP blades and fan case cut weight for twin-engine aircraft by 700 kilograms

Carbon fiber suppliers gear up for next-gen growth

CompositesWorld’s annual Carbon Fiber conference was held in Knoxville, Tenn., U.S., in late 2019 and included a pre-conference seminar focused on carbon fiber supply and demand.

Hexcel, NaCa Systems develop hybrid carbon/wood fiber composite car seat back

Benefits are said to include a 40% weight savings and improved carbon footprint.

Compression RTM for production of future aerostructures

Automated preforming and 5-min resin infiltration show a way forward for lower-cost CFRP primary structures.

Plant Tour: RUAG Space, Decatur, Alabama, U.S.

Out-of-autoclave composites manufacturing facility comes of age with first U.S.-made composite structures for the Atlas V launcher, and qualification parts for the Vulcan.

Hexcel to merge with aerospace/industrial equipment OEM Woodward

Hexcel, a major supplier of carbon fiber as well as intermediate composite materials, is joining forces with aerospace and industrial equipment manufacturer Woodward to create Woodward Hexcel, which is expected to generate annual revenues of $5.3 billion.

People in Composites: October 2019

AOC Aliancys, Boeing, Composites UK, Hexcel, Michelman, TPI Composites and UTComp announce new faces in the composites industry and honors awarded to top contributors.

NASA all-electric experimental aircraft to begin ground testing

NASA’s X-57 Maxwell has been delivered to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in its Mod II configuration and will soon undergo extensive ground testing of its integrated electric propulsion system.

Airbus, Hexcel celebrate National Composites Week with milestone production rate

The two companies are celebrating more than 40 years of collaboration and Hexcel Salt Lake City’s first year at full rate for the A350 program.

Celebrate #NationalCompositesWeek

The inaugural National Composites Week takes place this week, Aug. 26-30, featuring a new theme each day. Visit NationalCompositesWeek.com to learn more.

Hexcel materials, AM process approved for Boeing aerospace structures

Boeing has approved Hexcel’s HexAM laser sintering process and end-use structures made using the company’s HexPEKK-100 carbon fiber/PEKK material.

Celebrate National Composites Week, August 26-30

2019 marks the inaugural year for National Composites Week, which celebrates the ways in which composites enable innovations in a wide range of industries.

National Composites Week takes place Aug. 26-30

Each day features a different theme celebrating the composites manufacturing industry.

Consortium targets solutions for carbon fiber thermoplastic composite structures

The HAICoPAS project, led by Hexcel and Arkema, aims to optimize UD tape design and manufacture for aerospace and automotive composites.

Episode 26: Achim Fischereder, Hexcel

Achim Fischereder, director of sales and marketing for the automotive business segment at Hexcel, discusses the state of composites in cars and trucks today and the outlook for the future.

Inaugural National Composites Week to recognize, promote and celebrate composites manufacturing

From Aug. 26-30, 2019, composites manufacturers are encouraged to use social media, traditional media and in-person events to shine a light on the industry.

Hexcel opens aerospace joint venture laboratory in Shanghai

The Future Aerospace Hexcel Commercial Composite Testing Ltd. (FAHCCT) is an aircraft composites testing lab built jointly by Hexcel, Progen and Future Aerospace.

HP-RTM for serial production of cost-effective CFRP aerostructures

Merging automotive process and tooling with aerospace quality to meet increasing production rates.

Thermoplastic composites: Poised to step forward

The evolving role of thermoplastic materials and processes and their future in next-generation commercial aircraft.

Hexcel fabrics chosen for Sunseeker performance cruiser

Hexcel’s HiMax Dot Pattern Adhesive fabrics have been chosen for resin infusion of Sunseeker’s newest high-performance luxury yacht.

Multimaterial carbon fiber composite engine brace

The project’s aim was to produce a lighter, composite version of an aluminum Audi engine brace, with a more aesthetic molded shape.

Spar forming simplified

Adapting its Automated Stiffener Forming (ASF) technology to build spars directly in female molds, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems anticipates dramatic drops in cycle time and manufacturing cost.

JEC World 2019: Hexcel

Hexcel held its annual press conference at JEC World 2019 and reported promising numbers, as well as several new products and technologies.

Hexcel molding compound enables high-volume, zero-waste process

The company’s HexMC-i 2000 high-performance molding compound has been used to produce a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) transmission crossmember using a zero-waste process well-suited for high-volume manufacture.

Hexcel partners with Lavoisier Composites, Arkema

Hexcel has announced a partnership with Lavoisier Composites to upcycle composite by-products from the aerospace industry, and a joint R&D lab opening in partnership with Arkema.

MC-21 airliner faces one-year delay due to U.S. sanctions

The Russian airliner schedule will reportedly be delayed until 2021 as U.S. sanctions have interrupted the supply of composite materials for the aircraft.

Composites recycling — no more excuses

Columnist Dale Brosius outlines six actionable levels of composites recycling that fabricators should follow.

Going discontinuous, for continuous improvement

The HiPerDiF (High Performance Discontinuous Fibre) project is exploring an alternate way of producing high-performance carbon fiber composites: start with discontinuous, rather than continuous fibers.

Energy storage in multifunctional carbon fiber composites

A need for lightweight energy storage technology is fueling the development of carbon fiber composite materials for car batteries and other electronics.

Hexcel finalizes acquisition of ARC Technologies

Hexcel continues to expand its advanced materials portfolio in structural composites and thermoplastics with ARC Technologies acquisition.

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.

Developing next-generation composites talent

The M.C. Gill Composites Center at the University of Southern California has steadily grown to become one of the industry’s educational and R&D stalwarts.

People in Composites – December 2018

CW’s monthly roundup of people news in the composites industry.

Hexcel enters agreement to acquire ARC Technologies

Hexcel to acquire supplier of custom RF / EMI and microwave absorbing composite materials for military, aerospace and industrial applications.

Hexcel opens new carbon fiber plant in France

The company’s new 37-acre plant is devoted to the manufacture of carbon fiber and PAN precursor.

CAMX 2018 preview: Hexcel

Hexcel (Stamford, CT, US) is featuring one of it newest technologies, HexAM additive manufacturing technology, which combines high-performance PEKK thermoplastics with carbon fiber to produce flight-ready 3D printed HexPEKK parts.

Acousti-Cap technology from Hexcel reduces noise in flight test

The company’s broadband sound-reducing honeycomb core acoustic liner was recently tested in a joint NASA-Boeing flight test on a B737 MAX test platform.

Heatshield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET): A broader mission

3D woven fabric enables scalable, tailorable heatshield that cuts cost, boosts performance for future spacecraft.

The International 14: High-tech but still accessible

Naval architect Paul Bieker and Henderson Boat Co. team take this venerable marine racing class to a more affordable performance/cost combination.

Plant tour: Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita, KS

Spirit AeroSystems was an established aerospace supplier when it earned that distinction, winning the contract for the Boeing 787’s Section 41. Now its sights are set on the next generation of aircraft.

Plant tour: Tods Aerospace, Crewkerne, U.K.

Tods Aerospace, located in rural England, is part of the larger Unitech Aerospace manufacturing group and specializes in highly engineered aerospace defense structures.

Arevo's 3D-printed commuter bike supported by Hexcel carbon fiber

Arevo recently secured financing to build on the full-scale commercialization of the technology demonstrated by the world’s first true 3D-printed bike.

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.

Flexible cure prepreg finds use in marine and wind

It’s almost time for the 2018 Tour de France — no, not that one with the bicycles, but the Tour de France à la Voile. Hexcel (Stamford, CT, US) composite materials have been used for the race’s trimaran the DIAM 24’s mast construction from the outset.

JEC World 2018: The highlights

JEC World is the composites industry’s largest trade show and did not disappoint this year.

Hexcel and Arkema partner to develop aerospace thermoplastic composites

The strategic alliance aims to develop carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic tapes to produce lightweight parts for future generations of aircraft.

Hexcel celebrates Casablanca facility grand opening

The Moroccan plant is part of Hexcel’s ongoing worldwide investment to meet the aerospace market’s growing demand for engineered core.

Fiber Patch Placement at scale

SAMBA automated cells now offered in Step, Pro and Scale models, for 3D preforming dry fiber and prepreg at rates up to 15-100 kg/hr.

McNair Aerospace Center: Closing the composites education gap

As the composites industry in South Carolina continues to expand through Boeing and its tier suppliers, composites education follows suit through the McNair Center.

Motorcycle part demonstrates hybrid molding process

Strategy forms FRP parts once too complex for cost-effective, high-rate production.

Improving one-piece aerostructures by automating preforming

IAI’s fully automated “one-shot” RTM production line cuts helicopter seat cost 30% vs. hand layup prepreg.

Lightweighting speed into CNC machining

Drawing on a long history in composites manufacturing and CNC machining, this innovator turns to carbon fiber composites to reduce gantry component weight and increase shaping efficiency.

Superbeam: Steel and carbon fiber work together to revolutionize structural elements

New approach to CFRP-strengthened steel beams increases load capacity by >75%, enabling dramatic downsizing while maintaining traditional bolted and welded attachments.

Composite cases fuel commercial space venture

Launch vehicle supplier Orbital ATK is looking to break into the burgeoning commercial space market with a rocket motor that features an all-carbon fiber case.

How ready are progressive damage analysis tools?

In the past 15 years, progressive damage analysis (PDA) for composites, implemented in finite element analysis software, has been under development.

Episode 3: Tom Haulik, Hexcel

The third episode of CW Talks: The Composites Podcast features a conversation with Tom Haulik, sales director of carbon fiber at Hexcel.

RTM-based redesign advances safety for one-of-a-kind wind tunnel

Glass fiber and honeycomb spacers between compressor blades get upgraded to a higher factor of safety with less weight using solid carbon fiber and RTM.

Composites recycling: Gaining traction

Recycling of carbon fiber, glass fiber and — at last — resins, is growing as new players enter the space.

Hybrid carbon fiber/aluminum suspension knuckle

Yields 26% greater stiffness via bonded prepreg patch.

JEC World 2017: Show report, part 1

JEC World 2017 was, by almost any measure, the biggest and busiest JEC event yet, and exhibitors came with much to show the world of composites about innovation in materials, equipment and technology.

JEC World 2017 exhibit preview

JEC World will be held March 14-16 in Paris. CW previews some of the products and technologies that will be at the show.

Composites industry is growing up—but hurdles still remain

It’s the era of when, not if, for the use of composite materials.

OOA composites in next-generation launch systems

As United Launch Alliance ULA replaces Atlas and Delta with next-generation launch rockets under the Vulcan name, supplier Ruag Space has been selected to provide lower cost/improved quality out-of-autoclave fabrication of Vulcan’s composite primary structures. Ruag will manufacture 5.4m payload fairings and 400-series interstage adapters for ULA’s Atlas V rocket.

Size-unlimited OOA composite process enables next-gen system

United Launch Alliance selects Ruag Space for lower cost/improved quality out-of-autoclave manufacture of Vulcan’s composite primary structures.

CAMX 2016 Show Report

The 3rd annual joint ACMA/SAMPE-sponsored trade event comes to Anaheim with an exhibition and conference program attractive to professionals across the composites world.

Swedish show truck turns heads

Fifty-one years ago, Swedish car mechanic Sven-Erik Bergendahl, nicknamed Svempa, started his tow truck business with a 1957 Plymouth sedan that he transformed into a truck, and since then, Svempa has created eye-catching and souped-up tow vehicles for car and truck shows across Europe.

BMW 7 Series Plant: Dingolfing, Germany

Via four different manufacturing methods, CFRP goes mainstream in automated multi-material BIW and assembly operations at BMW’s busiest plant.

Sandwich structure makes hangars possible

Greek company Dasyc has developed the high-strength Composite Modular Transportable Hangar (CMTH), which uses interlocked composite sandwich panels to ease assembly and disassembly.

Structural adhesives, Part II: Aerospace

Tried-and-true legacy epoxies are a must for aerospace composites, but usage is increasing with improved forms.

Aerospace growth climbs with carbon fiber

The business case for carbon fiber in narrowbodies has become a lot stronger now that these operational benefits are in evidence.

Carbures, el Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain

On a rapid and audacious growth trajectory, this Tier 2 supplier based on the Iberian Peninsula opens the doors of three foundational facilities near Spain’s aerospace epicenter.

JEC World: Aerospace highlights

Fokker Aerostructures BV (Hoogeveen, The Netherlands), a GKN Aerospace company, demonstrated at its stand a thermoplastic composite aircraft demonstrator spoiler, fully functional and consisting of only three parts: top skin, bottom skin and a single spar.

Large portable antenna goes lightweight with conductive composites

CFRP matches metal performance at one-third the weight thanks to innovative materials and precision manufacturing.

The composites super cycle — are we still living the dream?

Predicted before the 2008 recessionary crash, the super cycle’s foundations were to be built on an increasing use of composites in aircraft. How did it play out?

JEC World 2016, the full report

CompositesWorld's editors report on the technologies and products that caught our eye at JEC World 2016, in early March.

Materials & Processes: Fiber formats for composites

Fibers used to reinforce composites are supplied directly by fiber manufacturers and indirectly by converters in a number of different forms, which vary depending on the application. Here's a guide to what's available.

Supply and demand: Advanced fibers

Demand for advanced fiber, virgin and reclaimed, is on an upswing after a dip during the recent recession. Fiber suppliers are gearing up to meet an expected increase in demand as manufacturers in a number of composites end-markets scale up or start up part development and production programs

JEC World 2016 exhibition and product previews

JEC World 2016 will be held in Paris March 8-10. These are some of the products that will be found at the show.

OOA: Thermoplastic alternative targets performance spec

CF/PEEK helicopter driveshaft’s toughness trumps traditional metric.

Resin infusion: Taking off?

Boeing Aerostructures Australia leads large-scale development of resin infusion as an industrial process.

Aircraft composites repair moves toward maturity

New technologies seek to address the challenges MROs will increasingly face in the age of commercial airliners with composite airframes.

Plant tour: Spirit AeroSystems: Prestwick, Scotland, UK

Global aerostructures giant Spirit AeroSystems ventures into out-of-autoclave (OAA) composites manufacturing via vacuum infusion.

Reducing manufacturing cost via RTM

Airbus Bremen aims to replace dozens of prepreg components and assembly operations with a unitized multispar composite flap molded in a one-shot process.

Terma Aerostructures: Grenaa, Denmark

This Danish manufacturer of precision composite aircraft parts and components has emerged as a significant player in fabrication of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II.

The end of delamination?

A spin-off from MIT's NECSTlab, N12 Technologies Inc. launches NanoStitch, the world's first vertically aligned CNT product via a continuous industrial process, which bridges adjacent CFRP plies, boosting interlaminar shear and increasing fatigue life by 100%.

Mubea Carbo Tech: High-quality auto composites go high-volume

Known for its precision and technical acumen in CFRP motorsports structures, MCT draws from its steel auto parts parent to push high-performance and industrial production to new plateaus.

Aeroengine Composites, Part 2: CFRPs expand

Proven in fan blade/case applications, carbon fiber-reinforced polymers migrate to previously unanticipated destinations nearer the engine “hot zone.”

Automotive composites: Thermosets for the fast zone

Epoxies continue to be developed for faster cure to meet automotive production rates.

Automation and rapid processing dominate at JEC Americas

Highlights include Fiber Patch Preforming, automated potting and insert equipment and processes delivering composite parts in minutes.

Composite air brakes: Stopping the world’s fastest car

CFRP sandwich structures a key element of deceleration in the Bloodhound SSC rocket-powered racer’s two-run attempt at resetting the land speed record.

Summer...time for an air show

Highlights from the 2015 edition of the Paris Air Show, and what to look for at the upcoming EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh next month.

Thermoplastic composites technology: A view from Europe

For this Dutch consortium, bringing the manufacturability of thermoplastic materials to maturity is the goal in concert with OEMs, materials and equipment supplier members.

First all-carbon yacht a winner

Vacuum infusion with customized fabrics enables demanding yacht build

Colored carbon fiber

Options for adding color have been around for decades, but new products are hoping to up the ante and open new markets.

PRSEUS update: Hybrid wing body passenger cabin takes shape

NASA calls on composites to enable a paradigm shift in future aircraft aerodynamics.

Yachtbuilding Composites: Rigged for Success

Carbon composite cabling in several forms races ahead of dry fibers and stainless steel in sailboat rigging.

Exelis Aerostructures: Salt Lake City

Braided composite shafts and struts for aircraft are its specialty, but there’s much more to this Utah, US-based rising star.

CFRP camera boom enables safe spill inspection

NONA Composites’ 32m REACH structure meets tight remediation schedule at DoE radioactive waste storage site.

Supply and demand: Advanced fibers (2015)

Demand for advanced fiber, virgin and reclaimed, is on an upswing after a dip during the recent recession. Fiber suppliers are gearing up to meet an expected increase in demand as manufacturers in a number of composites end-markets scale up or start up part development and production programs.

Tooling (2015)

Composite parts are formed in molds, also known as tools. Tools can be made from virtually any material. The material type, shape and complexity depend upon the part and length of production run. Here's a short summary of the issues involved in electing and making tools.

Fiber reinforcement forms

Fibers used to reinforce composites are supplied directly by fiber manufacturers and indirectly by converters in a number of different forms, which vary depending on the application. Here's a guide to what's available.

The markets: Automotive (2015)

Composites — in particular, those reinforced with carbon fiber — continue to make headway into the automotive world, but suppliers of competing steel and aluminum are fighting back.

The matrix (2015)

The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement, gives the composite component its shape and determines its surface quality. A composite matrix may be a polymer, ceramic, metal or carbon. Here's a guide to selection.

Plant tour: ATK Aerospace Structures, Clearfield, Utah, U.S.

High-volume, high-precision fiber and tape placement for the aerospace industry are among many specialties for this composites manufacturing behemoth.

Dark knights: Sleek trimarans surveil the seas

Epoxy-infused patrol boats outperform less nimble and more costly conventional naval craft.

Hidden potential: An indifferent year for M&A belies a rich vein of opportunity for acquirers

Guest columnist David Schofield, cofounder and managing director of Future Materials Group (Cambridge, UK), an independent strategic advisory firm, sees much unseen and, therefore, untapped potential.

Multi-material rudder: Trailing-edge parts replaced

TCB Composite (West Haven, UT, US) molds replacment parts that keep legacy US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter aircraft, affectionately dubbed Warthogs, in the air.

The vexing economics of carbon fiber manufacturing

Hexcel's VP and GM Americas, Mike Canario, reviews tough economics the govern carbon fiber manufacturing today, and how they might affect future supply.

CAMX 2014 show report

Bigger, better and more inclusive than any previous U.S. composites trade event, the inaugural show turns North American eyes forward to the future.

Recycled carbon fiber update: Closing the CFRP lifecycle loop

Commercial production of recycled carbon fiber currently outpaces applications for it, but materials characterization and new technology demonstrations promise to close the gap.

PMI foam core outperforms honeycomb in infused nose landing gear doors

The results of Airbus (Toulouse, France) subsidiary Composite Technology Centre GmbH (CTC, Stade, Germany) studies in 2013 to find more productive but less costly methods of fabricating carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sandwich constructions.

PMI foam core outperforms honeycomb in infused nose landing gear doors

The results of Airbus (Toulouse, France) subsidiary Composite Technology Centre GmbH's (CTC, Stade, Germany) studies in 2013 to find more productive but less costly methods of fabricating carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sandwich constructions.

The democratization of carbon fiber

Composites industry consultant and regular HPC columnist Dale Brosius says the battle for carbon fiber’s industrial market will be won by suppliers with the lowest costs and greatest capacities.

CAMX offers unprecedented new product access

CAMX 2014, Oct. 13-16 in Orlando, Fla., promises to be North America's largest ever composites trade show and conference. As a result, exhibitors are coming to the event with a wide array of new and existing materials, machinery, software and technology designed to help make composites fabrication faster, easier and more adaptable. CompositesWorld has been gathering information from CAMX exhibitors about what they will be featuring and introducing in their booths. This week's CAMX newsletter offers a preview of some of what you will find on the show floor.

Automating the CH-53K’s composite flexbeams

Accudyne doubles the part production rate and eliminates layup errors through stepwise automation of this primary structure’s complex hand layup process.

Modeling fabric materials for better parts

Multiaxial fabric maker Formax is involved in a multi-year endeavor to simulate the behavior of dry fabrics during the molding process.

TAPAS 2: Next steps in thermoplastic aerostructures

The Netherland's-based Thermoplastic Affordable Primary Aircraft Structure (TAPAS) consortium's TAPAS 2 team builds on the successes of TAPAS 1, taking the next steps in aircraft thermoplastic composites architecture.

2014 JEC Europe Review

The composites world met again in Paris, vibrant, stronger, and more forward-looking than ever before.

JEC Europe 2014 Review

The composites world met again in Paris, vibrant, stronger, and more forward-looking than ever before.

Albany Engineered Composites: Weaving the Future in 3-D

This 3-D weaver turned composite component supplier pursues a future in 3-D structures through continuous technology development.

Thermoplastic composites save weight in rotorcraft aerostructure

This helicopter structure outdoes both metal and thermoset-composite alternatives.

BMI and benzoxazine battle for future OOA aerocomposites

Offering weight, cost and process advantages, these “hot zone” resins are moving down the thermometer and into out-of-autoclave structural applications and autoclavable tooling now dominated by epoxies.

Resin-infused MS-21 wings and wingbox

Moscow-based aeromanufacturer uses out-of-autoclave composites in attempt to leapfrog Airbus and Boeing with wider, lighter, more efficient single-aisle airliner.

Main landing gear doors designed for all contingencies

For the Airbus XWB airliner, they must meet strict structural, aerodynamic, emergency and aesthetic requirements.

A350 & A400M wing spars: A study in contrasts

In three short years, GKN Aerospace has taken its wing spar manufacturing strategies to new heights by dramatically reducing part weight, process complexity and production-cycle duration.

Paris Air Show 2013: A century of aircraft progress

Torrential rains couldn’t dampen the spirit of innovation or stop the flood of business aerospace announcements.

HPC's 20th Anniversary: Thanks to HPC’s charter advertisers

Every trade publication lives and dies by its advertisers, and those who had the gumption to ante up for HPC’s premier issue are listed here and those who are still with us (see page numbers below) are gratefully recognized with the HPC 20th Anniversary Medallion.

HPC turns 20

Celebrating two-decades of composites advocacy.

2013 JEC Europe new product showcase

The JEC Europe 2013 trade show (March 12-14, at the Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, Paris, France) was the venue for introductions of a large number of new composite materials, technologies and manufacturing processes. Here's the HPC editorial staff's compilation of what was on display.

SAMPE 2013 Long Beach new product showcase

The SAMPE 2013 trade show (May 6-9, in Long Beach, Calif.) was the venue for introductions of a large number of new composite materials, technologies and manufacturing processes. Here's the HPC editorial staff's compilation of what was on display.

Lightning strike protection strategies for composite aircraft

Tried-and-true materials thrive, but new approaches and new forms designed to process faster are entering the marketplace.

U.S. crew and cargo candidate takes shape with composites

Crew-capable Dream Chaser to enable ISS transport missions from U.S.

Press-molding method emulates autoclave

Rubber tool insert avoids consolidation pressure “dead zones” and slashes cost.

Acoustical architecture: Making beautiful music

On the market for more than 40 years, composite musical instruments have advanced from a novelty to critical acclaim.

2012 Farnborough International Airshow Report

The biennial U.K. air event delivered the clear message that the aerospace industry — and aerospace composites with it — continue to soar.

Infused CFRP: New One-Design paradigm

The Farr 400 opens a new frontier in Grand Prix sail racing, with greater precision at lower cost.

Integrated, optimized aircraft door

This composites manufacturer is betting its one-piece 3-D preform and RTM process will trim weight from today’s fastener-intensive “black aluminum” aircraft doors.

Carbon fiber market: Gathering momentum

All signs point to increasing demand from many market sectors. Will capacity keep pace?

Forged composites replace complex metal parts

Powerhouse manufacturer’s high-pressure compression molding process forms prepregged CFRP components with forged-metal properties.

The Plane in Spain

Site tours provide a rare glimpse into the Iberian Peninsula’s aerospace composites sector, with a special focus on Airbus’ activities at Illescas.

Self-deployable, composite satellite boom

Researchers design and validate a boom made of ultrathin carbon-fiber/epoxy laminate, using a novel, highly accurate analysis method.

A350 XWB update: Smart manufacturing

Spirit AeroSystems actualizes Airbus’ intelligent design for the A350’s center fuselage and front wing spar in Kinston, N.C.

PRSEUS preform for pressurized cabin walls

Over the next few years, NASA and The Boeing Co. (Chicago, Ill.) will build larger and more elaborate pressurized passenger cabin structures for future blended-wing airliners.

An out-of-autoclave progress report

CW Conferences director Scott Stephenson recalls Dale Brosius’ update on Quickstep’s out-of-autoclave work for the F-35 program.

2011 International Paris Air Show

At the 49th event, records are set for attendance and aircraft orders, and airframers go on record about composites-related developments.

WINDPOWER 2011 Report

Wind energy advocates, turbine builders and their suppliers, policy makers, and a growing number of wind-involved composites professionals gather where it all began.

Tooling for composites: Evolutionary trajectory

New technologies and improved methods keep up as tools get bigger and more complex and toolmaking gets ever more challenging.

SAMPE 2011 Long Beach Product Showcase

Huge show, huge new product offerings … huge success.

JEC Paris 2011 Review

This annual Paris trade event’s statistics signal an advanced composites resurgence.

Carbon fiber/PEEK takes hydraulic pump to new depths

A switch from metal to composites reduces weight, minimizes part deflection in ultradeep ocean installations.

Nanotechnology: It's real

CompositesWorld's conference director Scott Stephenson reviews several recent conference presentations as evidence that nanocomposites are no longer just the stuff of dreams.

Microwave: An alternative to the autoclave?

Aerospace composites manufacturer GKN evaluates microwave oven practicality and cost-effectiveness.

Carrier-capable, all-composite external fuel tank

Legacy product positions builder for a shot at an F-35 contract.

JEC Paris 2011 highlights

The news from this annual Parisian in-gathering of composites professionals is heavily weighted toward automotive lightweighting.

Carbon fiber market: Cautious optimism

As the recession recedes, the demand for carbon fiber, and the supply to meet it, will exceed prerecession expectations.

Antiballistics: Better defense, less expense

Armor applications grow on the strength of new markets, new composite materials.

GKN A350 spar program update

Automated fiber placement to replace established tape laying/drape forming process for the composite rear spars on the new midsize commercial passenger jet.

Future combat helmet: Promising prototype

Tape laying, thermoforming methods hold hope for rapid coforming of thermoplastic shell and ballistic liner for U.S. Army’s future warfighter headgear.

Besting Big Ben: A Marvel in Makkah

Composite design makes possible the world’s largest clock and tallest clock tower.

Shared composite material property databases

Work at NCAMP is proceeding, with several new materials undergoing testing.

SAMPE 2010 Seattle Showcase

SAMPE’s first-ever foray into Boeing Country wrapped up with the M&P organization’s biggest draw this decade.

2010 SAMPE Europe/JEC Paris Showcase

Record crowds and reignited technological development testified to the composite industry’s renewed health and the recent recession’s demise.

JEC Composites Show 2010 Highlights

Despite the volcanic ash that clouded air travel, an eruption of new technology and new business did much to dispel the clouds of economic recession.

Orion re-entry system: Composites displace metal

World’s largest heat shield updates metal design with out-of-autoclave process.

A400M cargo door: Out of the autoclave

This structural military airframe part is the largest made to date via the vacuum-assisted resin infusion process.

Carbon Fiber: UP!

Despite 2008-2009 recession lows, prognosticators at CompositesWorld's recent Carbon Fiber Conference predict a decade of highs.

CNTs ride a rising tide of nanotech optimism

Dr. Louis Pilato offers facts, figures and comment on the growing utility of carbon nanotechnologies in composites applications.

Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft proves large structure practicality

Dr. John Russell reports that the successful completion of a flying aircraft in the the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft program has demonstrated the holistic impact that composites technology can have on future aircraft development.

Resins for the Hot Zone, Part II: BMIs, CEs, benzoxazines and phthalonitriles

Next-generation aerospace programs demand higher temperatures for structural and hot-section components, fostering advances in thermoset resin chemistry.

Modular composites: A perfect fit in new medevac helicopter

Bell Helicopter's new manufacturing parardigm replaces sheet metal with composites in a modular "snap fit" design.

JEC COMPOSITES 2009 Product Showcase

Despite the doleful state of the global economy, the turnout in Paris — exhibitors and visitors — proved surprisingly strong.

JEC Composites 2009 showcase

Despite the doleful state of the global economy, the turnout in Paris — exhibitors and visitors — proved surprisingly strong.

SAMPE Europe/JEC highlights

The global economy might be on the wane, but there was little evidence of it at the annual SAMPE Europe conference and nearby JEC Composites Show in Paris.

Thermoplastic composites: Inside story

Reinforced thermoplastics buy their way into structural aircraft interior components.

Aircraft simulation gets composites aware

Rapid software evolution enables faster, better virtual solutions to complex composite design problems.

SAMPE Europe/JEC Composites 2009 preview

SAMPE Europe’s 30th annual spring conclave and the nearby JEC Composites Show characterize the latest in material and process technologies.

One-piece molded truck body uses customized resin formulation

When General Motors Corp. (Flint, Mich. ) opted to update its small Astro cargo van in 2007 concurrent with the introduction of new Colorado and Canyon light truck platforms, customers talked and GM listened.

Wind Blade Manufacturing: Cost-efficient materials-based strategies

The wind blade’s four key elements — the root, the spar, the aerodynamic shell or fairing, and the surfacing system — have present unique manufacturing challenges that must be met with carefully selected composite material systems and molding strategies.

Wind Blade Manufacturing, Part I: M and P innovations optimize production

As demand for wind turbines reaches unprecedented levels, rotor blade manufacturers explore new production strategies, including automation and blade segmentation.

Shared composite material property databases

For more than a decade, NASA, FAA, industry and academia have been working toward the goal of creating a centralized composite material property database similar to that for metals. Their efforts, while productive, have not come with the war-like strength that the standardization of metals did. The composites industry is guided by Composite Materials Handbook 17 or CMH-17 (formerly known as MIL-HDBK-17).

Composites stabilize space-based telescope

Composite Primary Mirror Backplane Support Structure to hold James Webb Space Telescope’s thermal stability within extremely tight 38-nm dimensional tolerance.

Prepreg forecast: Strong growth through 2013

Prepreg applications are on the rise in the composites industry as manufacturers in a variety of industries increasingly adopt this versatile material. Today, prepregs find use in commercial aerospace, military/defense, general aviation, space/satellite, marine, sporting goods, automotive, civil engineering, wind

2008 Farnborough Airshow Report

This biennial aerospace showcase underscores the ascendancy of composites in airframes and jet engines.

ATL and AFP: Signs of evolution in machine process control

Improved machine-control software, placement accuracy and design simulation have made automated fiber placement and tape laying machines truly production-worthy. The evolution, however, still continues.

Aviation Outlook: Composites in commercial aircraft jet engines

Airlines' need for fuel-efficient flight provides the thrust behind composite lightweighting strategies in jet engine manufacturing.

JEC COMPOSITES 2008 show review

Composites professionals converged on this annual Parisian gathering in greater numbers than ever before, confident that the market’s global growth will continue.

Flying high on composite wings

FRP wings, fuselages and other primary and secondary structures on GA prop, turboprop and jet aircraft help lift this market to unprecedented heights.

Aligned discontinuous fibers come of age

Discontinuous but aligned carbon fibers are proving formable and formidable in high-performance, compound-curvature applications.

Carbon/BMI and carbon foam form Invar alternative

For years, Invar steel has been the material of choice for tooling that must endure repeated autoclave cycling in volume part production. Invar's disadvantage is its relatively high density and resulting large mass. As processors move away from hand layup and toward automated fiber and tape placement, there is a

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Editorial, News, and Products

Biomaterials make strides toward composites sustainability

Hexcel transitions winter sports prepregs to HexPly Nature range

Hexcel releases 1K reinforcement fabric option

Hexcel introduces mid-temp Flex-Core HRH-302 honeycomb core

Low-cost, efficient CFRP anisogrid lattice structures

Plant tour: Airbus, Illescas, Spain

Autocomposites market is expected to double revenue by 2032

Aernnova Composites, leader in composites R&D

Hexcel, Fairmat agreement bolsters U.S. composite recycling efforts

JEC World 2024 highlights: Forwarding initiatives surrounding sustainability and mobility

Hexcel appoints Tom Gentile as CEO and president

JEC World 2024 highlights: Thermoplastic composites, CMC and novel processes

Composites end markets: Pressure vessels (2024)

Hexcel, Arkema present CFRTP aerospace demonstrator in HAICoPAS

Hexcel launches HexTow IM9 24K intermediate modulus carbon fiber

Industry versatility served via novel continuous carbon fibers, prepregs

New online training course targets prepreg basics

Designing and manufacturing turbine test nacelles

Longtime composites leader Scott Beckwith passes away at age 82

From the CW Archives: Fast-cure epoxies for automotive fabrication

Innovation Award finalists revealed for JEC World 2024

Top 10 CompositesWorld products of 2023

Upcoming CW Tech Days navigates composites in AAM

Type V pressure vessel enables lunar lander

Plant tour: Daher Shap’in TechCenter and composites production plant, Saint-Aignan-de-Grandlieu, France

Hexcel presents HexPly prepregs geared toward marine

Next-gen composites manufacturing: Combining material, machine and mold cavity data with analytics

Engine vane demonstrates potential for gapped, unidirectional dry fiber for infusion

Modular, robotic cells enable high-rate RTM using any material format

Celebrating National Composites Week

Composites manufacturing for general aviation aircraft

Hexcel launches novel RTM resin, rapid-cure prepreg for aerospace

JEC World 2023 highlights: Innovative prepregs, bio-resins, automation, business development

Airbus final assembly line in China delivers its first A321neo

Pacific Coast Composites acquired by specialty chemical distributor

Hexcel announces newly expanded engineered core operations

Notched testing of sandwich composites: The sandwich open-hole flexure test

Plant tour: Middle River Aerostructure Systems, Baltimore, Md., U.S.

Natural fiber composites: Growing to fit sustainability needs

Hexcel opens new R&T center in Salt Lake City

NASA awardees to develop sustainable aviation composite tech

Continuous Composites unveils commercial CF3D Enterprise machine

JEC Composites Innovation Award 2023 winners

ASCEND program update: Designing next-gen, high-rate auto and aerospace composites

JEC Composites presents 2023 Innovation Award finalists

Composites opportunities in eVTOLs

People in Composites: January 2023

NCAMP qualifies Victrex LMPAEK thermoplastic material system

Top 10 CompositesWorld products of 2022

Optimizing AFP for complex-cored CFRP fuselage

High glass transition temperature, 100% bio-based thermoset resins for space composites

Novel dry tape for liquid molded composites

Plant tour: Avel Robotics, Lorient, France

Hexcel receives Sustainability Award from Airbus Defence and Space

Fairmat inaugurates Bouguenais carbon fiber recycling facility

Archer Aviation sets ambitious target to build 250 eVTOLs in 2025

Hexcel HexPly M9.6 prepregs receive type approval for marine use

Matrix Composite Materials Co. celebrates 25 years

Hexcel, Albany International Q2 2022 financial reports reflect increased revenue

Plant tour: Dowty Propellers, Gloucester, U.K.

Hexcel to supply carbon fiber prepreg for Dassault F10X program

Hexcel joins collaboration program at Spirit’s Aerospace Innovation Centre

Fairmat to recycle 30% of industry’s carbon fiber waste in Europe one year after inception

SAMPE North America seeks active volunteers for technical committees

High-performance, high-detail continuous 3D-printed carbon fiber parts

Materials & Processes: Tooling for composites

Materials & Processes: Resin matrices for composites

JEC World 2022, Part 3: Emphasizing emerging markets, thermoplastics and carbon fiber

Multi-flange RTM frames enable radical rear fuselage design

Fairmat reaches agreements with Siemens Gamesa, Duqueine, Tarmac Aerosave to recycle composites

Hexcel announces HexPly Nature Range

SuCoHS project: Advancing composite solutions for parts with high thermal and mechanical loads

Cycling forward with bike frame materials and processes

Archer Aviation plans to work with Hexcel to advance eVTOL production capabilities