Infrastructure
SMC Flexes Muscles in Other Markets
Often identified with automotive body applications, sheet molding compound shows growing promise in a variety of other temperature- and weather-resistant applications.
Read MoreFrom the Publisher - 12/1/2007
I‘m seeing a paradigm shift in the world today, and composite materials are in the thick of it. As the price of all forms of energy rise and people everywhere express their desire to build safe and comfortable lives, we need to rethink how we use and distribute the earth’s resources. I’m an optimist. I think mankind
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Engineering Insights: Pedestrian Bridge Makes Case for Composites
Infusion molded deck incorporates high-performance core, which facilitates fast processing.
Read MoreA multitude of markets - 11/1/2007
The overall outlook for the composites industry remains healthy, driven by developments in the commercial aircraft market - the advent of Boeing's 787 and Airbus Industrie's (Toulouse, France) A380, the future arrivals of the Airbus A400M military transport and its mid-sized A350 XWB, and a host of general aviation
Read MoreResin matrices: Thermosets
Unsaturated polyester resins are the most widely used in commercial, mass-production applications, thanks to their ease of handling, good balance of mechanical, electrical and chemical properties and relatively low cost. Typically coupled with glass fiber reinforcements, polyesters adapt well to a range of fabrication
Read MoreRepair considerations
As more composite materials find a place on aircraft, boats, bridges and hundreds of other applications where part replacement is difficult and expensive, OEM engineers are considering the repairability of structural and secondary composite components during the initial design phase. According to a recent report by
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Managing multi-axis manufacturing
Much early computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery served short-run military and space programs where cost per part was too high to be acceptable in the manufacture of commercial aircraft. Now, Automated CNC machinery moves toward volume production and part-specific design.
Read MoreDow Epoxy Acquires UPPC AG, POLY-CARB and GNS Technologies
Dow says it will continue trying to acquire key businesses like these, particularly in Asia (e.g., India) and it's looking for more assets.
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Reinforced Thermoplastics: LFRT vs. GMT
As the suppliers of long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics and glass-mat thermoplastics battle for market supremacy, the winner is … the composites OEM.
Read MoreComposites test method globalization and harmonization
In my previous column, I discussed the need for standardization of test methods and the progress that has been made in recent years (see “Related Content,” at left). However, we know from that column, and many preceding it, that when we attempt to determine material properties, there is often more than one
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