CW Blog

Out of Autoclave 25 Mar 2009

Resin systems update: The greening of thermosets

Thermoset resin formulators seek environmental benefits as customers demand reduced cost and increased performance.

Out of Autoclave 27 Feb 2009

Cost- and time-saving preform process used for propeller spinner

Carbon fiber/epoxy spinner uses pulp slurry preforming process combined with vacuum infusion molding.

Aerospace 27 Feb 2009

Composites employed for thermal insulation in space observatories

NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), launched in October 2006, is expected to provide a revolutionary view of our solar system.

Editorial 26 Feb 2009

Introducing the new HPC

If you’ve been involved in composites design and manufacturing for even a modest period of time, I’ll bet this has happened to you: You have an established composite product or structure that’s been in the market and performing well for a number of years.

Design and Testing 26 Feb 2009

Fastener pull-through strength test method

Mechanical fasteners have been used to join wood and metal plates for hundreds of years.

Sustainability 26 Feb 2009

Offshore oil composites: Designing in cost savings

In offshore oil structures, composites offer the potential to save weight, reduce maintenance, enhance safety, limit adverse environmental impact and improve durability.

Adhesives 23 Feb 2009

Thermoplastic composites: Inside story

Reinforced thermoplastics buy their way into structural aircraft interior components.

Infrastructure 23 Feb 2009

Aircraft simulation gets composites aware

Rapid software evolution enables faster, better virtual solutions to complex composite design problems.

Wind/Energy 20 Feb 2009

SAMPE Europe/JEC Composites 2009 preview

SAMPE Europe’s 30th annual spring conclave and the nearby JEC Composites Show characterize the latest in material and process technologies.

Out of Autoclave 20 Feb 2009

Inside R and D: A-VaRTM takes flight in Japan

Tests show out-of-autoclave process can reduce costs on new regional jet.

Thermoplastics 27 Jan 2009

One-piece molded truck body uses customized resin formulation

When General Motors Corp. (Flint, Mich. ) opted to update its small Astro cargo van in 2007 concurrent with the introduction of new Colorado and Canyon light truck platforms, customers talked and GM listened.

Adhesives 27 Jan 2009

Composites help create "ghostly" sculpture of bygone time

Sculptor Lawrence Argent of Argent Studios Ltd. (Denver, Colo. ) recently completed another of his several Denver-area public art installations, an internally illuminated, translucent composite sculpture called Ghost Trolley.