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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.

Announcement marks the first large-scale floating offshore project for Vestas, and first V236-15.0 MW installation on floating foundations.

Plug & Drive H2 storage system displayed at IAA Transportation 2022 uses 700-bar tanks for heavy-duty commercial and construction vehicles.

Per an active drive for more sustainable, circular solutions, both partners will be investigating ways to use decommissioned wind turbine materials. 

The New York-based startup recently partnered with a wind blade recycling company and plans to produce its first full-scale prototypes this year.

Part of a two-year DOE-funded project, partners including GE and Glosten investigate lighter-weight, more economically competitive designs for offshore wind.

The £2 million, three-year project aims to ensure global wind and composites sustainability via commercialization of a novel method of separating glass fiber reinforcements from its resin system.

Total U.S. operating wind power capacity is now more than 105 GW, enough to power more than 32 million homes. 

Heavily modified winding process produces light, structural support frame for performance-critical liftgate.

Development of a rapid, sustainable microwave-assisted chemical recycling process targets decommissioned wind turbine blades, promotes decreased landfill disposal.

The University of Southern Queensland has received funding to be used in the development of cost-effective composite resins to increase the resilience of wind turbine blades against bushfire exposure.