Ginger Gardiner

Ginger Gardiner Senior Technical Editor

Aerospace

Out-of-autoclave prepregs: Hype or revolution?

Oven-cured, vacuum-bagged prepregs show promise in production primary structures.

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Core

Old is new in vacuum bonding honeycomb sandwich

In Care and Repair of Advanced Composites (published by the Warrendale, Pa.-based Society of Automotive Engineers in 1997), Dr.

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Weaving

CFRP upgrades economy seating

First aircraft seat to use visible CFRP revolutionizes aesthetics and comfort.

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Out of Autoclave

Single vs. double-bagged infusion

Russell Emanis (JB Martin, St.

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Aerospace

Double-bag infusion: Thickness gradient and pressure

Cliff Walker (Vacmobiles, Auckland, New Zealand), explains how the large pressure changes during infusion result in laminate compression and thickness variations across the part.

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Aerospace

Double bagging through three decades

A short history of double-bagging.

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Sustainability

Absolute vacuum gauge

The following is an excerpt from Issue 12 of The Composites Letter, published by www.vacmobiles.com (reposted here by permission) that outlines the importance of using an absolute vacuum gauge to measure pressure levels during double-bad infusion:“Often called a precision vacuum gauge, an absolute gauge actually works the opposite way to a conventional dial type vacuum gauge.

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Marine

Double-bag infusion: 70% fiber volume?

A double vacuum-bag system and tight process control enable repeatable fiber volumes of 60 to 70 percent and improves consistency of infused laminates.

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Wind/Energy

IBEX 2010: Looking up in Louisville

A new location helps regenerate a recession-battered industry, drawing in more exhibitors and attendees than in 2009.

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Carbon Fibers

Besting Big Ben: A Marvel in Makkah

Composite design makes possible the world’s largest clock and tallest clock tower.

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Thermoformable thermoplastic composites

Thermoplastic composites that can be shaped into finished parts via thermoforming are proliferating as the thermoforming process gains traction, particularly in aerospace manufacturing. The following short article and chart provide some guidance in terms of sourcing.

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Aerospace

Aerospace-grade compression molding

Continuous Compression Molding process produces structures 30 percent lighter than aluminum at costs that have both Airbus and Boeing sold.

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