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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.

Fraunhofer IPT, Taniq and Pixargus have proven the success of a measuring head capable of optimizing the reliability, security and efficiency of FRP pressure vessel manufacturing.

The partnership will streamline the production of key components of GE’s Haliade-X offshore wind turbine with the advance casting cell (ACC) sand binder jetting 3D printer.

For the next 3 years, Ideko and European partners are working to develop and validate to TLR 7 novel processes to boost the use of natural fibers and biological resins.

The Tree Composites TC-joint replaces traditional welding in jacket foundations for offshore wind turbine generator applications, advancing the world’s quest for fast, sustainable energy deployment.

Novel reinforcing patch uses braided sleeve to boost the load-carrying capacity of composite bolted joints.

After more than a decade dedicated to R&D, evaluation and testing, the company has proven its MCFR building system in a Lakewood Village project in Florida.

The all-electric company moves closer to commercialization, confirming an aircraft configuration that is both certifiable and can streamline manufacturing.

According to a report from the American Wind Energy Association, 20,000-30,000 megawatts of offshore wind capacity will be operational by 2030 in the U.S.

The SusWIND initiative, addressing the recyclability and future development of composite wind turbine blades, will be delivered in three developments.

The American Wind Energy Association also reports growth in wind energy jobs, revenues of more than $1 billion from wind energy and expected offshore wind growth.