CW Blog

Construction

Composites-reinforced concrete for sustainable data center construction

Metromont’s C-GRID-reinforced insulated precast concrete’s high strength, durability, light weight and ease of installation improve data center performance, construction time and sustainability.

Read More
Editorial

The return of trade show season

SAMPE Seattle, JEC World and the Paris Air Show are approaching fast, and they signal the real emergence of a post-pandemic world.

Read More
JEC

JEC World 2023 preview

JEC World is the composites industry’s largest trade event, featuring exhibits, presentations and specialized pavilions covering the entire composites industry supply chain.

Read More

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.

Read More
Sustainability

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.

Read More
Sustainability

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.

Read More
Work In Progress

MFFD thermoplastic floor beams — OOA consolidation for next-gen TPC aerostructures

GKN Fokker and Mikrosam develop AFP for the Multifunctional Fuselage Demonstrator’s floor beams and OOA consolidation of 6-meter spars for TPC rudders, elevators and tails.

Watch
Focus on Design

Composite sidewall cover expands options for fire-safe rail components

R&D project by CG Rail explores use of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics and recycled manufacturing scrap to meet fire safety, weight and volume targets.

Read More
Infusion

Demonstrating functionalized, cost-effective composites using additive extrusion

Hybrid thermoset/thermoplastic composite part with 3D-printed functionalization demonstrates technology possibilities and EmpowerAX open platform offering expertise from members throughout the process chain.

Watch
Work In Progress

Composite tension leaf springs: Available for trucks at last

Tension leaf springs with progressive spring rates meet the demanding needs of truck suspensions.  

Read More
Troubleshooter

Nine factors to consider when designing composites cure tooling

Gary Bond discusses the common pitfalls and compromises when designing good cure tooling and their holistic significance for a robust composite production process.

Read More
Economics

Composites industry index ends February in growth mode

The GBI: Composites Fabricating closed February at the same level it was in November 2022, right before experiencing a rare two months of contraction.

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