Automotive

Sustainability 29 Jun 2016

Recycled carbon fiber: Its time has come

Impressive industry growth puts a new emphasis on the role of carbon fiber recycling.

Automotive 23 Jun 2016

Covestro kicking the tires on polycarbonates for automotive

Although development work has only just begun, the company's Makrolon polycarbonate, in a carbon fiber-reinforced composite, is proving highly impact resistant and offers a Class A surface.

Aerospace 23 Jun 2016

Taking the hand out of hand layup

Hand layup has a long history in aerospace composites fabrication, but it's not well suited for automotive composites manufacturing, where volumes are much higher. But the discrete placement of fiber reinforcements still has value. Research is pointing toward automated hand layup that might help this process bridge the aerospace-to-automotive divide.

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Thermoplastics 21 Jun 2016

Getting real: Thermoplastic resin transfer molding

KraussMaffei is launching this fall thermoplastic resin transfer molding (T-RTM), through which caprolactam is injected into a preform and then in-mold polymerized to create polyamide 6.

Automotive 13 Jun 2016

Carver Non-Woven Technologies opens its doors

US-based Carver Non-Woven Technologies offers nonwovens made with glass fiber, bast, carbon fiber, basalt fiber and thermoplastic fibers in densities ranging from 300-2,400 gsm.

Automotive 8 Jun 2016

Thermoplastic composites suspension featured on racecar

The Polystrand GT-Lite racecar recently completed its third racing weekend at the SCCA Majors event in Pueblo, Colo.

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Thermoplastics 8 Jun 2016

Converting the structural chassis to composites

Germany’s largest producer of GRP leaf springs for cars and trucks broadens its product range to CFRP stabilizer bars, which cut weight 50% vs. steel.

Wind/Energy 8 Jun 2016

Fine-tuning fiberglass: Smart fiber sizing

Some insights into those proprietary chemistries that can customize performance at the fiber/resin interface.

Thermoplastics 8 Jun 2016

Breathing-mold process yields sandwich composite from LFT

In-cavity foaming and controlled mold-opening technique creates core and faceskins from a single injection molded material, reducing part mass and boosting performance.