Composites Basics
Five Things You Get With Your CompositesWorld Magazine Subscription
Reliable news and information on where and how fiber-reinforced composites are being applied — that’s just the start of what you get from our team here at CompositesWorld.
Jodee McElfresh
Content Marketer, Additive Manufacturing
Snap-cure epoxy prepreg systems: Thermoset performance at thermoplastic speeds
The autoclave has long defined thermoset composites processing — snap-cure epoxy prepreg systems are built around the premise that it doesn't have to.
Read MoreComposites end markets: Aviation and advanced air mobility (2026)
Market outlook highlights commercial, defense and bizjet upturn, shift to Asia/rise of India while supply chain struggles to meet rate, AAM begins pivot toward commercial routes plus trends in civil UAS, electric aircraft and the latest in composites developments.
Read MoreThe need for process modeling in filament winding applications
A discussion of how temperature, mandrel material and thickness, plus other factors affect the outcome of repeatable filament-wound composite shell manufacturing.
Read MoreComposites end markets: Industrial (2026)
Composites solve performance, weight, durability challenges and more in a variety of industrial applications. Recent notable examples include fire truck pumps, biogas reactor tanks and shipping pallets.
Read MoreThermoplastic composite fabrication: Thermal processing
Establish a proper thermal cycle during TPC rapid forming and achieve reproducible, successful parts through key material selection and process method understanding.
Read MoreComposites end markets: Pressure vessels (2025)
H2 economy is set back by Trump policies, tariffs and funding pivot to defense and AI, but composite tanks remain a key segment with sales in CNG/RNG, growth in New Space and potential for H2-electric aviation.
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Troubleshooting thermoplastic composite stamp forming
Understand the basic science of TPC stamp forming, a manufacturing process steadily gaining momentum in aerospace and mobility applications thanks to its rapid forming, short cycle times and automated methods.
David Leach
Principal of Composite Material Solutions
Ceramic matrix composites: Faster, cheaper, higher temperature
New players proliferate, increasing CMC materials and manufacturing capacity, novel processes and automation to meet demand for higher part volumes and performance.
Read MoreCW Tech Days — Upcoming and past events
CW Tech Days are virtual events dedicated to the topics impacting the composites industry today. Access past event recordings and register for upcoming Tech Days.
Read MoreComposites end markets: Energy (2025)
Despite political and supply chain challenges, renewable and nuclear energy continue to grow in use. Composite materials enable current and future energy technologies across sectors.
Read MoreLaser cleaning in composites manufacturing
Laser cleaning technologies for cleaning production molds for composites offer alternatives to harsher, less-friendly methods with features like automation and higher power cleaning.
Read MoreComposites end markets: Aviation and advanced air mobility (2025)
Despite persistent supply chain issues, markets were set for healthy growth before Trump policies and tariffs, yet long-term trends favor composites in new platforms. Meanwhile, advanced air mobility shakes out and moves forward.
Read MoreCrashworthiness testing of composites: A building block approach, Part 3
Third in a series on crashworthiness testing analyzes the upper levels of the building block approach and the importance of numerical analyses.
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Composites end markets: Automotive (2025)
Composites manufacturing intelligence drives circular economy solutions as automotive industry balances technical demands with sustainability mandates.
Stewart Mitchell
Contributing Writer
Plasma moves beyond improved bonding to coatings, multifunctional composites
Plasmatreat cold plasma systems clean, activate surfaces and apply nanocoatings for dielectric barriers and more.
Read MoreComposites end markets: Electronics (2025)
Electronic and smart device innovations achieved through the use of advanced materials ranging from thermoplastic composites to biomaterials emphasize high-volume production and sustainability.
Read MoreComposites end markets: New space (2025)
Composite materials — with their unmatched strength-to-weight ratio, durability in extreme environments and design versatility — are at the heart of innovations in satellites, propulsion systems and lunar exploration vehicles, propelling the space economy toward a $1.8 trillion future.
Read MoreUnderstanding the difference between bonding and welding
Composites bonding and welding are two similar but distinct processes that overcome challenges related to fasteners or drilling. Here are some resources to get you started.
Read MoreSeven tips for machining composite aerospace components
Machining composite materials is a dusty, arduous and abrasive process that is hard on cutting tools, requiring the right combination of strategies and know-how to properly navigate their dynamics.
Read MoreThe pursuit of energy efficiency in composites manufacturing
In an increasingly energy-driven world, technology developments are being sought after to reduce energy consumption in composites manufacturing, further translating into waste reduction and other efficiencies.
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Selecting a meter/mix dispensing machine
Choosing the right meter/mix dispensing machine requires careful evaluation of key material and process parameters to develop a precise specification, ensuring key metrics such as accuracy, output, reliability, quality and maintenance efficiency.
Composites end markets: Sports and recreation (2025)
The use of composite materials in high-performance sporting goods continues to grow, with new advancements including thermoplastic and sustainability-focused materials and automated processes.
Read MoreFunctionalizing surfaces for sustainability
Riblets reduce drag, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and noise while boosting power output, flow rates, speed and efficiency.
Read MoreCrashworthiness testing of composites: A building block approach, Part 2
Following the previously discussed coupon-level testing element, subcomponent and component testing are the next steps in designing crashworthy composite structures.
Read MoreTrends fueling the composites recycling movement
Various recycling methods are being considered for composites, from novel dismantling and processing, to building capacity and demonstrating secondary use applications.
Read MoreAvoiding pitfalls in the design of LFAM composite components
Recoat temperature, part orientation and bead geometry are some key design variables to consider for a successful and reliable large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) process.
Read MoreGuidance for the thermoforming process
A briefing on some of the common foam core material types, forming methods and tooling requirements.
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