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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.

Current offshore numbers are projected to expand fivefold to 250 GW of active capacity and 30,000 wind turbines by 2030, with significant investment in shipping fleets needed.

Research from Renewables Consulting Group, as reported by NA Wind Power, finds the U.S. offshore wind market has moved into the construction phase for large-scale projects.

Spanish-based engineering firm will accelerate technical development and innovation activity of Gazelle’s floating offshore wind platform.

Over the next two years, the Irish SME is working in conjunction with the University of Galway to model and test novel materials, such as composites, for airborne wind energy applications.

Clarksons Research’s updated report proposes offshore wind in the U.S. will play a vital role in the energy transition despite challenges, with potential for 23 GW and 1,600 turbines by 2030.

Successful completion of project led by Fraunhofer IFAM sees the development of stretch-formable Peel^Plas film for release agent-free demolding of FRP components.

Procurement and installation of low-carbon steel towers, and upscaling of Vestas’ composite blade recycling process, aims to engage ongoing demand and solutions for these technologies in the wind industry.

Large offshore wind farm in the U.K. will have 44 out of 100 of its wind turbines equipped with recyclable composite blades, the largest order to date.

Based on military feedback, Epsilon Composite developed an optimized, foldable stretcher that combines telescopic pull-wound carbon fiber tubes.

Newly released, department-wide strategy will tap the United States’ vast potential of offshore wind energy deployment to meet 30 GW goal by 2030.