Articles

Defense

“Structured air” TPS safeguards composite structures

Powered by an 85% air/15% pure polyimide aerogel, Blueshift’s novel material system protects structures during transient thermal events from -200°C to beyond 2400°C for rockets, battery boxes and more.

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SMC composites progress BinC solar electric vehicles

In an interview with one of Aptera’s co-founders, CW sheds light on the inspiration behind the crowd-funded solar electric vehicle, its body in carbon (BinC) and how composite materials are playing a role in its design.  

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Pultrusion

Pull-wound carbon fiber poles enable lightweight, compact, rigid emergency stretcher

Based on military feedback, Epsilon Composite developed an optimized, foldable stretcher that combines telescopic pull-wound carbon fiber tubes.

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Aerospace

The next-generation single-aisle: Implications for the composites industry

While the world continues to wait for new single-aisle program announcements from Airbus and Boeing, it’s clear composites will play a role in their fabrication. But in what ways, and what capacity?

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Economics

Composites GBI shows faster activity contraction

The total index reading backed down in May from its anticipated expansion, contracting again to land at 46.8.

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Editorial

How has CW changed in the last year?

Upon his one-year anniversary as editor-in-chief of CW, Scott Francis looks back at some of the brand’s changes and hints at where it might be heading next.

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Plant Tours

Plant tour: Teijin Carbon America Inc., Greenwood, S.C., U.S.

In 2018, Teijin broke ground on a facility that is reportedly the largest capacity carbon fiber line currently in existence. The line has been fully functional for nearly two years and has plenty of room for expansion.

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Work In Progress

Reinforcing hollow, 3D printed parts with continuous fiber composites

Spanish startup Reinforce3D’s continuous fiber injection process (CFIP) involves injection of fibers and liquid resin into hollow parts made from any material. Potential applications include sporting goods, aerospace and automotive components, and more.

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Aerospace

KVE Composites: New CEO, thermoset parts, thermoplastic future

Longtime parts manufacturer offers more than composites welding. CW’s conversation with CEO Kjelt van Rijswijk explains KVE’s vision with Daher and where it’s headed.

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Filament Winding

Filament winding increases access to high-performance composite prostheses

Steptics industrializes production of CFRP prostheses, enabling hundreds of parts/day and 50% lower cost.

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FiberJoints innovates composite bolted joints for reduced weight, cost and maintenance

Novel reinforcing patch uses braided sleeve to boost the load-carrying capacity of composite bolted joints.

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Composites 4.0

How AI is improving composites operations and factory sustainability

Workforce pain points and various logistical challenges are putting operations resilience and flexibility to the test, but Industry 4.0 advancements could be the key to composites manufacturers’ transformation. 

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Composite raw materials
Alpha’s Premier ESR®
prepeg and slit tape products
Quickly Make Molds, Tools and Fixtures