Ketones
Eaton developing carbon-reinforced PEKK to replace aluminum in aircraft air ducts
3D printable material will meet ESD, flammability and other requirements to allow for flexible manufacturing of ducts, without tooling needed today.
Peter Zelinski
Editor-in-Chief, Additive Manufacturing
Hybrid process marries continuous, discontinuous composites design
9T Labs and Purdue applied Additive Fusion Technology to engineer a performance- and cost-competitive aircraft bin pin bracket made from compression-molded continuous and discontinuous CFRTP.
Read MoreDaher CARAC TP project advances thermoplastic composites certification approach
New tests, analysis enable databases, models, design guidelines and methodologies, combining materials science with production processes to predict and optimize part performance at temperatures above Tg (≈150-180°C) for wing and engine structures.
Read MoreTool Gauge, Victrex partner to develop co-molded composite aircraft parts
Novel hybrid overmolding technology achieves novel thermoplastic composite parts to replace machined aluminum components on commercial aircraft, as well as reduce manufacturing costs and timeline.
Read MoreTPRC research studies void removal mechanisms in VBO processing
New publication evaluates vacuum bag only-consolidated carbon fiber/PEEK tapes to determine the role of different void removal mechanisms in thermoplastic composites.
Read MorePEEK vs. PEKK vs. PAEK and continuous compression molding
Suppliers of thermoplastics and carbon fiber chime in regarding PEEK vs. PEKK, and now PAEK, as well as in-situ consolidation — the supply chain for thermoplastic tape composites continues to evolve.
Read MoreTri-Mack introduces thin, lightweight thermoplastic composite enclosures
Durable, low-cost manufacturing support wide range of industrial uses, with option for embedded EMI shielding.
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Markforged develops composite 3D printing technology
The FX10, a composite 3D print system with built-in automation, and Vega, a carbon fiber-filled PEKK material from Markforged, expand on 3D printing applications for customers.
Katie Leesemann
Former Editorial Assistant, Gardner Business Media
Thermoplastic composites welding advances for more sustainable airframes
Multiple demonstrators help various welding technologies approach TRL 6 in the quest for lighter weight, lower cost.
Read MoreMaterials & 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.
Read MoreMaterials & Processes: Composites fibers and resins
Compared to legacy materials like steel, aluminum, iron and titanium, composites are still coming of age, and only just now are being better understood by design and manufacturing engineers. However, composites’ physical properties — combined with unbeatable light weight — make them undeniably attractive.
Read MoreMaterials & 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.
Read MoreMaterials & Processes: Fabrication methods
There are numerous methods for fabricating composite components. Selection of a method for a particular part, therefore, will depend on the materials, the part design and end-use or application. Here's a guide to selection.
Read MoreStratasys collaborates with Lockheed to qualify composite materials for space, aviation end-use parts
Report made public by Metropolitan State University of Denver delivers qualification data for Antero 840CN03 for additively manufactured end-use parts requiring high thermal and chemical resistance, and ESD properties.
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Plasma surface treatment applicable across industries
CAMX 2023: Openair-Plasma from Plasmatreat is a dry, non-contact, location specific and fast process, capable of being used across many industrial manufacturing processes.
Katie Leesemann
Former Editorial Assistant, Gardner Business Media
Plant tour: Victrex Composites Solutions, Bristol, Rhode Island, U.S.
De-risking thermoplastic composites at industrial scale via hybrid overmolding.
Read MoreRoboze reveals ceramic-filled Helios PEEK 2005 filament to the 3D printing sector
Ceramic reinforcement proves an ideal candidate for applications that require lightness, mechanical strength, heat resistance and highly complex geometry specifications.
Read MoreCygnet Texkimp thermoplastic lab line build supports composites innovation
Direct Melt Impregnation Thermoplastic Line to enable faster development of composites technology in automotive, aerospace, construction and energy markets through dedicated customer trials.
Read MoreRoboze raises funds for composites industrial 3D printing platforms
A diverse pool of domestic and international investors aid in the further acceleration of R&D for ultra-precise 3D printing of carbon fiber PEEK and other polymers.
Read MoreAIM3D multi-material 3D printer targets precise, cost-effective polymer processing
Extrusion 3D printer offers considerably faster build rates and can print up to three different materials in parallel for metals, ceramics and high-temperature plastics such as PEEK and PPS with or without fiber filling.
Read MoreAON3D, Astrobotic to send 3D-printed parts to the moon
The Peregrine Lander will carry thermoplastic parts printed via AON3D’s high-temperature industrial 3D printer that meet demanding space requirements and cut the vehicle’s weight by half.
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Clean Sky 2 OUTCOME project demonstrates PEEK thermoplastic composite wingbox cover
Airbus Defense and Space, FIDAMC and Aernnova demonstrate out-of-autoclave, one-shot process for wingbox cover with integrated stringers for regional aircraft.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Short carbon fiber compounds expand reach of thermoplastic composites
With fiber weight fractions of up to 50% and an array of thermoplastic matrices available, injection molding compounds are expanding composites’ capabilities.
Read MoreSolvay completes South Carolina facility installation, adds to U.S. thermoplastic composite capacity
Facility development is fueled by increasing energy, aerospace and automotive demand, and will manufacture UD PVDF, PPS and PEEK tapes.
Read MoreImpossible Object offers high-performance, PEEK 3D-printed products at PA12 prices
Combination of the company’s proprietary CBAM process and lower cost source saves customers up to 80% and offers stronger, better performing products.
Read MoreElectroimpact, Toray, Janicki advance technologies for rapid, large-scale thermoplastic parts manufacture
Project combines Electroimpact high-speed AFP equipment, Janicki’s OOA heated layup tooling system and Toray Cetex TC1225 low melt PAEK UD tape for deposition rates of up to 4,000 inches/minute.
Read MoreClean Sky 2 FRAMES project advances heating simulation of thermoplastic composite AFP with xenon flashlamp
Heraeus Noblelight and Compositadour develop heating simulation to optimize process temperatures during automated fiber placement of composite aerostructures.
Read MoreOut-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.
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