CW Blog

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.

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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.

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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.

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Automation

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.

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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.

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Aerospace

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.

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Recycling

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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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Application

Lighter, stronger, faster bionic hand aided by composites design

Psyonic’s touch-sensing prosthetic hand leverages bionic technology, 3D printing and a carbon fiber composite exterior for light weight, high strength and high-tech functionality.

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Composite raw materials