Search Results

High-pressure gas storage vessels represent one of the largest and fastest-growing markets for advanced composites, particularly for filament-wound carbon fiber composites. Although they are used in self-contained breathing apparatuses and provide oxygen and gas storage on aerospace vehicles, the primary end markets are for storage of liquid propane gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen gas (H₂).

Filament winding is a specialized technique used in composite manufacturing, involving the precise and automated winding of continuous fibers onto a rotating mandrel or mold. This method allows for the creation of strong and seamless structures, optimizing the alignment and orientation of the fibers to meet specific design requirements. Filament winding is employed in producing cylindrical or conical composite parts, such as pipes, pressure vessels, and aerospace components, enabling engineers to tailor the strength, stiffness, and performance characteristics of the final product.

Processes in composites manufacturing encompass a diverse array of techniques employed to fabricate composite materials. These processes include methods like hand layup, where layers of resin and reinforcement materials are manually placed, and vacuum infusion, where a vacuum draws resin into a preform. Other techniques like compression molding, filament winding, and automated methods such as 3D printing are utilized to create intricate and specialized composite structures. Each process offers unique advantages in terms of precision, scalability, and efficiency, catering to diverse industry needs. As technology advances, newer methods are emerging, promising faster production cycles, reduced waste, and increased customization, driving the evolution of composite manufacturing towards more sophisticated and versatile methodologies.

The wind energy market has long been considered the world’s largest market, by volume, for glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites — and increasingly, carbon fiber composites — as larger turbines and longer wind blades are developed, requiring higher performance, lighter weight materials. The outer skins of wind and tidal turbine blades generally comprise infused, GFRP laminates sandwiching foam core. Inside the blade, rib-like shear webs bonded to spar caps reinforce the structure. Spar caps are often made from GFRP or, as blade lengths lengthen, pultruded carbon fiber for additional strength.

Two decades of technical and market development has made this once marginal application a global giant and one of the world’s largest markets for composites.

Two state contracts procure 2,490 MW of offshore wind from Equinor Wind U.S., one of many developments across the U.S. to reach a total state goal of 32,000 MW.

The U.S. DOE, universities and industry leaders ramp up new efforts and funding to develop 3D-printed composite wind blade molds and end-use blade components.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has awarded Atlantic Shores and Danish wind developer Ørsted to develop approximately 2,700 MW of offshore wind energy off the coast of New Jersey.

Drone technology combined with active thermography reported to offers faster, cheaper and more in-depth inspection of composites used in wind turbine blades and aircraft wings.

Re:Wind Design fall catalog presents designs and details of structures and products developed from EOL wind blades, as well as the research team’s services for those interested in repurposing their own.

An additional 77,600 square meters will enable the manufacture of next-generation offshore wind turbine blades, with potential for added capacity.

As longer composite wind blades are developed, customized mesh products help OEMs and kitting companies control resin flow and remove air voids during infusion.

The new system, demonstrated through the manufacture of a large-scale wind turbine blade section, enables the repair and recovery of infused composite structures within minutes.

The Ireland-based, five-meter-long BladeBridge solution has undergone extensive materials and mechanical testing to ensure application suitability.