Out of Autoclave

Out of Autoclave 1 Jun 2015

Thermoplastic composites: European consortia, galore!

In addition to the Thermoplastic Composites Research Center (TPRC, Enschede, The Netherlands) — see our article focused on TPRC, titled "Thermoplastic composites technology: A view from Europe" under "Editor's Picks, at top right — there are many other European consortia, comprising private industry, university and government entities, which share the goals of exploring composites materials and methods for manufacturing them, including those with thermoplastic matrices. Here's a sampling.

Space 1 Jun 2015

In-orbit-deployable radar dish

Aramid/PEI delivers flexibility, strength and precision for space-based reflector

Carbon Fibers 1 Jun 2015

First all-carbon yacht a winner

Vacuum infusion with customized fabrics enables demanding yacht build

Composites Basics 1 Jun 2015

Understanding the influence of fiber orientation on structural analysis of fiber-filled parts

The effect of fiber orientation on material properties is a key way the injection molding process impacts mechanical performance. Doug Kenik and Angie Schrader of the Design, Lifecycle & Simulation product group at Autodesk (Waltham, MA, US) illustrates two ways fiber orientation influences the structural behavior of fiber-filled parts and discuss the need for a bi-directional approach to design and analysis.

Pressure Vessels 1 Jun 2015

Wind turbine blades: Back to the future?

Dayton Griffin, MSc, a senior principal engineer at DNV GL (Seattle, WA, US), considers the challenges that increasing blade length poses for designers/manufacturers in terms of weight mitigation, stiffness optimization, manufacturability and transportability.

Adhesives 1 Jun 2015

Prepreg compression molding makes its commercial debut

Ultra-thin, preformed laminate designs enable CFRP decklid manufacture at lower-than-expected mass and at cycle times approaching mass-production speed.

Wind/Energy 1 Jun 2015

Out-of-autoclave processing: <1% void content?

Research sheds light on air and air-bubble behavior in OOA aerospace prepregs.

Out of Autoclave 1 Jun 2015

Carbon fiber as a replacement for glass fiber in D-LFT auto parts

Research progresses toward attainment of 80-90% of continuous carbon fiber tensile modulus in lighter parts molded from direct long fiber thermoplastic compounds.

Aerospace 1 Jun 2015

The ends will be justified by the means

CW Editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan recalls the one question he's consistently fielded throughout his quarter century in magazine editing and publishing: “Don’t you worry about running out of things to write about?” Here's his answer.

Out of Autoclave 7 May 2015