Autoclave
Microwave: An alternative to the autoclave?
Aerospace composites manufacturer GKN evaluates microwave oven practicality and cost-effectiveness.
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Tabbing composite test specimens: The how
The when and why of tabbing composite test specimens were the subjects of my previous column (see “Tabbng composite test specimens: When and why," under "Editor's Picks," at right), which included a discussion of tabbing materials, tab thickness and taper angle, and adhesive selection.
Read MoreSAMPE 2011 Long Beach
SAMPE returns to Long Beach in partnership with aerospace industry materials society ASM International.
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JEC Paris 2011 highlights
The news from this annual Parisian in-gathering of composites professionals is heavily weighted toward automotive lightweighting.
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Software eases design/build for exotic exercise bike
The Lamiflex Group (Bergamo, Italy) helps Milan, Italy-based design house Luca Schieppati develop the Ciclotte, a striking luxury exercise bicycle made with carbon fiber composites.
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Will TPCs reshape commmercial aircraft?
HPC's editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan asks, How much of the next generation of commercial aircraft primary structure will be made with thermoplastic composites?
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3-D woven reinforcements update
Suppliers make progress toward reinforcement preforms that exhibit comparable properties in the x, y and z axes.
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Antiballistics: Better defense, less expense
Armor applications grow on the strength of new markets, new composite materials.
Read MorePerformance requirements: CAI vs. OHC
John Russell, who manages nonautoclave research programs for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio), recently threw down the gauntlet at the Fall SAMPE conference in Salt Lake City, Utah: “Give us a 25 percent improvement in notch properties with no microcracking in high-modulus fibers.” While OOA prepreg suppliers can’t do much about fiber microcracking, Advanced Composites Group (ACG, Tulsa, Okla.) already has announced that its XMTM47 material will be commercial by next year, designed for 120°C/248°F service with the increased notched performance requested.
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