Design & Tooling
Flexural test method standards for composite materials
Dr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah) proposes a common-sense standard method for flexural testing of composite materials.
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Faster cycle, better surface: Out of the autoclave
GM is first automaker to use Class A CFRP parts from new pressure-press technology.
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Flexural testing of composite materials
Dr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures (Salt Lake City, Utah) takes look at flexural testing and promises recommendations, next time, for a unified standard.
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Kinetic sculpture made possible with carbon fiber composites
Halo, an unusual wind-activated kinetic sculpture is realized with the help of Gurit (Newport, Isle of Wight, U.K.) and molder Innovation Composites (South Nowra, New South Wales, Australia)
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Pressurized Water-based mold temperature control comes to composites
HPC editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan details recent testing that gauged the comparative efficiency of electric, oil-based and water-based mold temperature control systems.
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Composites testing: The continuing standards dilemma
Dr. Donald F. Adams revisits the topic of global test standardization, suggesting a simple but unlikely fix to the lack of harmonization.
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WTTC opens upsized wind blade test facility
The Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC, Boston, Mass.) opened its $35 million+ wind blade testing facility on May 18, 2011, the only lab in the U.S. that can test blades up to 90m/295-ft long.
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Virtual testing of composites: Beyond make & break
Software-based micromechanical modeling and analysis methods promise faster and more cost-effective aircraft development and testing programs.
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Structural health monitoring: Angling for the air
Structural health monitoring (SHM) systems for composite aerostructures have been slow to deliver on their promise, but a system developed by Luna Technologies (Roanoke, Va.) is on a glide path to implementation on in-service aircraft
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Fracture mechanics test methods for sandwich composites
HPC's testing guru, Dr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures, Salt Lake City, Utah), surveys the available fracture mechanics test methods for sandwich panels.
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