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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.

JEC World 2024: The DLR is presenting the EmpowerAX multi-curved shell demo part as a JEC Innovation Award winning innovation, in addition to results from other projects involving hydrogen tanks, wind and more.

CAMX 2024: Addcomp distributes its AFP-XS systems and now adaptive molds, works with customers to design and install custom systems and develops its capabilities with new partnerships.

India-based CW Top Shops honoree EPP Composites reflects on a recently successful vertical filament winding application and new pultruded FRP rebar capabilities, as well as future opportunities.

Multifunctional four-axis winding system offering fiber flexibility will underpin the NCC’s work in testing and manufacturing pressure vessels leading to commercial production.

CW Talks discusses Ford Motor Company’s involvement with the EMPHASIZING project, a UK consortium working to develop a material from recycled glass fiber with mechanical properties superior to virgin glass.

JEC World 2024: Swancor demonstrates its EzCiclo recyclable epoxy and recycling process in wind, sporting goods and automotive applications.

The secured contract will see the delivery of 107 wind turbines with 14-MW capacity for the 1.5-GW deal.

Composites are used widely in oil/gas, wind and other renewable energy applications. Despite market challenges, growth potential and innovation for composites continue.

A 158-MW order adds to Vestas’ increasing presence in the U.S., not just in wind blade and nacelle manufacturing, but also its initiatives to make blades more recyclable.

APQP4Wind’s quality assurance methodology is designed to reduce risk and lower the costs of poor quality, which Exel plans to apply to all of its global wind production sites where composite components are manufactured.