Composite gift ideas for the holidays

The Christmas season is upon us and 2023 is quickly approaching its end. If you’re reading this, you are likely scrambling to order gifts for your friends, co-workers and loved ones (or, for those who think ahead and are set for the holidays, reading this with a sense of relief). Or, perhaps you fit neither of these molds, and you’re simply curious as to what this article might entail.

Whether for practical purposes or fun, the CW editorial team is continuing its new tradition of compiling a unique list of gift ideas for you, our readers, with one thing in common: each idea uses composite materials or is applicable to composites manufacturing in some way. While not a comprehensive list of the composites-related products that are out there (CW pulled a majority of these from content published this past year), we hope you find something — for yourself or for others — that reminds you that composites are fun and cool, no matter the shape, size or application they take on:

1. Maybe one of the more obvious gifts you give yourself or colleagues… a free subscription to CompositesWorld magazine (subscribe here).

2. A specialized natural fiber “guitarvoil” from Togaman Guitarvoils — CW shared this innovation in the Post Cure section of the November 2023 issue. You can see how they’re made here.

3. Ant-X’s Aries remote-controlled drone, supported with a pultruded and pull-wound composite design. It’s meant for easy, fast and precise nondestructive testing contact inspection.

4. An all-in-one membership for The Native Lab composites course training.

5. Composite tiles —transluscent, opaque and other options — from Planefibra for improving natural light and preventing overheating of infrastructure.

6. For car enthusiasts —  British car manufacturer Briggs Automotive Co.’s Mono R supercar version using a Hypetex colored carbon fiber version for the body; the GS-6, an ultra-luxury electric vehicle produced by Karma Automotive with low-density glass fiber SMC decklids, fenders and headlamp brackets; and the fully electric EX30 Volvo, now incorporating Bcomp’s flax fiber composites as an optional trim for the dashboard and doors.

7. Light, robust and eco-responsible Kuikma padel rackets from Decathlon using Fairmat’s low-carbon impact composite materials.

8. Sustainable and stylish bike equipment. The German-made Lion Bike by KraussMaffei and partners is a high-performance, injection molded children’s bike with 40% recycled carbon fibers with zero scrap. Wheel brand Parcours has also revealed composite bike wheels using Hypetex colored carbon fiber to achieve aesthetic, lightweight and performance goals. Made-to-order, personalized bicycle helmets by Jabil and KAV Sports are reported to deliver a better fit for optimized comfort and protection using custom engineered materials and additive manufacturing (AM).

9. Fun carbon fiber-based stocking stuffers — including a money clip, pens, charging cables, bottle openers and more.

10. An online best practices guide for composites tooling.

11. Graphene-enhanced fly fishing rods, with multi-technique options.

12. Provide additional safety while driving with the babyark convertible, impact-absorbing car seat with embedded sensors for real-time monitoring.

13. The newly launched Circular C watch by ID Genève, said to be the first regenerative watch that has been designed with CompPair Technologies’ healable composite technology.

14. Dura Composites’ durable glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) d² grating series for marine and shipping applications, or the Dura Platform with Tri-Tone Grit, ideal for new build and refurbishment train station platform projects.

15. A spaceflight experience on Virgin Galactic’s VMS Eve dual-fuselage jet carrier aircraft, which includes a custom-fit spacesuit, Virgin Galactic astronaut wings, a full media package and other perks.

16. FusionFiber recycled carbon fiber bicycle tire levers from Forge Bond.

17. A versatile and smooth water ski from HO Sports, featuring a bio-based foam core to meet desired performance properties with less reliance on fossil fuels. 

18. Composites-intensive boats and accessories. Linx Tenders is working in collaboration with BMComposites to deliver customized catamarans; Artemis Technologies has launched its new electric foiling water taxi, the Artemis EF-12 Escape, featuring composite/metallic hybrid foils; and Greenboats is featuring a biocomposite craft to be commercially available in time for the 2024 sailing season. And we can’t forget the carbon fiber steering wheel systems by Cobra International and Schmitt Marine as an top-of-the-range option for premium vessel owners.

19. A low-cost ProNest LT 2023 version 15.1 nesting software subscription from Hypertherm Associates to improve efficiency for waterjet fabricators and manufacturers.

20. Graphene-enhanced composite sea kayaks from Norwegian paddle sport brand Norse Kayaks.

21. The 2023 Vapor climbing helmet by Black Diamond using Aluula Gold composites — polymer films with UHMWPE fibers.