Design & Tooling
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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Doing the impossible with Poisson's ratio
Aerospace engineer Dr. Susan Daggett serves up a slice of her composites industry history with a savory twist.
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Testing the crashworthiness of composite structures
Dr. Donald F. Adams examines automobile crashworthiness, noting popular crashworthiness test methods for composites, and points out the lack of, and current progress toward, standardized testing for composite crash structures.
Read MoreTemperature control heats up
Faster infusion is one way to reduce cycle time, but another is faster cure, which typically requires an elevated temperature.
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Composites testing at elevated temperature and moisture content
Dr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah) notes the renewed interest in testing composites under hygrothermal conditions.
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