CW Blog

Aerospace

Episode 42: Jeff Sloan, CompositesWorld

CW publisher and brand V.P. Jeff Sloan discusses the history of CW and the evolution of the composites industry during his time as editor. 

Listen
Infusion

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.

Watch

Interlaminar tensile testing of composites: An update

New test method developments for measuring interlaminar tensile strength address difficulties associated with the ASTM D6415 curved beam flexure and ASTM D7291 flatwise tensile tests.

Read More
Aerospace

Next-generation airship design enabled by modern composites

LTA Research’s proof-of-concept Pathfinder 1 modernizes a fully rigid airship design with a largely carbon fiber composite frame. R&D has already begun on higher volume, more automated manufacturing for the future.

Watch

VIDEO: Energy-Efficient Thermoforming for Composite Parts

Meccatronica exhibited their lineup of E-Form servo-electric presses at JEC 2023. Designed to showcase the cutting-edge capabilities of high-quality and energy-efficient thermoforming for composite parts, their E-Form range stands as an alternative to conventional hydraulic presses as they are fully electronic.

Watch
Repair

Aerodynamic considerations when repairing complex composite structures

An example process gives steps and issues to consider when determining the most effective repair method for preserving the aerodynamic surface of a complex-contoured composite sandwich structure.

Read More
Recycling

Urban furniture project demonstrates green potential for composite 3D printing and recycled materials

Large-format AM specialist Caracol and partners designed custom, 3D-printed outdoor furniture with glass fiber-reinforced recycled polypropylene, and conducted an LCA to evaluate and improve the process.

Read More
Recycling

VIDEO: Sustainable pressure vessel systems for heavy-duty vehicles

Automotive and filament winding experts at Voith Composites showcased their Type IV hydrogen storage tanks at JEC 2023. These 350-liter pressure vessels, manufactured with recycled carbon fiber, are primarily designed for heavy-duty vehicles.

Watch
Economics

Contraction in composites industry activity slowed in August

The GBI: Composites contracted again in August, but closed up 1.1 points from July, ending 5 straight months of a downward trend.   

Read More
Glass Fibers

Bioabsorbable and degradable glass fibers, compostable composite parts

ABM Composite offers sustainable options and up to a 60% reduction in carbon footprint for glass fiber-reinforced composites.

Read More
JEC

VIDEO: Corebon Demos Induction Heating Systems at JEC World 2023

Kenneth Frogner, Head of Research at Corebon, demos their different induction heating systems on the show floor at JEC World 2023.

Watch
CAMX

CAMX 2023 Attendee Survey

CAMX – The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo is right around the corner, and we want to better understand your hopes and expectations heading into the show. CompositesWorld asks you to answer one of the five questions in the survey below. Responses will remain anonymous, and some may be published in the CAMX Show Daily, which is distributed at the show. The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete.  

Read More
Composite raw materials