Automotive
Gardner Business Index at 50.0 in March
New orders and production are up. Capital spending plans foreshadow equipment investments.
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In defense of glass fiber
Given the hype around carbon fiber, CW columnist Dale Brosius says it's easy to overlook the importance and future of glass fiber.
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Ashland unveils low-density, high-performance SMC
Ashland's new Arotran 771 sheet molding compound (SMC) offers a specific gravity of 1.2, with good mechanical and physical properties. The company is targeting 1.0 specific gravity, which would put SMC on par with aluminum in automotive applications.
Read MoreLocal Motors to use Siemens software for 3-D printed vehicles
The partnership combines Siemens’ PLM software technology with Local Motors’ leadership in co-created and 3-D-printed vehicles – direct digital manufacturing (DDM).
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New technologies from REFORM project may reduce costs of composites
The project focused on improving the environmental performance of composite components along the lifecycle from production to disposal.
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Honda’s Clarity Fuel Cell sedan features hybrid-molded rear bumper beam
The rear bumper beam is made of the Tepex composites material from the Lanxess subsidiary Bond-Laminates.
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Thermoplastics riding into automotive, aerospace
The legacy of composite parts and structures is built on a family of thermosets — including epoxy, vinyl ester, polyester and phenolic — that have helped tremendously to make the industry what it is today. Not to be forgotten are thermoplastics, which have played a serious role as well, and offer advantages that promise to make this material type one of the fastest growing over the next decade.
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IAC debuts FiberFrame on 2017 Mercedes-Benz
Germany-based International Automotive Components (IAC) has launched its ultra lightweight FiberFrame natural fiber sun roof frame on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
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Structural adhesives, Part I: Industrial
Today’s myriad chemistry options enable formulators to tailor adhesives to customers' exact application requirements.
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Selective reinforcements boost “commodity” composite properties
Strategically placed advanced reinforcements reduce weight, cost while dramatically increasing mechanical performance and dimensional stability.
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