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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.

Custom-built, turnkey automated winding and filament placement equipment create new possibilities for manufacturers to cost-effectively produce high-strength structural carbon fiber components.

SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) inlet guide vanes for a high-pressure turbine are aimed for a geared turbofan and show promise for more efficient aeroengines with less weight and need for cooling.

Contracts represent 3-year and 4-year supply of core material kits to wind OEMs.

Typically separate processes, the company’s new vessel winding head (VWH), merged with a multiple tape laying head (MTLH) progresses composite pressure vessel development.

The first of GE Vernova’s next-gen 13-MW+ wind turbine has begun producing power at sea following 3 years of testing, supporting both U.K. and U.S. wind farm projects.

Wind energy has always been a highly lucrative business for composites fabricators — even 15 years ago. This popular evergreen article from CW gives a new perspective on just how far this end market and its composite wind blades have come.

CompoTech, Kongsberg PCS collaboration integrates foam-cored design, automated placement of pitch and PAN fibers to achieve award-winning increase in speed and precision.

Developed for composite piping systems development, the novel system has proven low levels of styrene concentration during hand lamination and filament winding processes.

Swancor will supply all recyclable resin to Siemens by 2026, contributing to RecylableBlade efforts.

Targeting U.S. wind energy, the program backs Purdue’s CMSC center and industry partners to develop the foundation for automated tooling manufacture, supporting new innovations in composite materials, other technology elements.