Sheet Molding Compound
2016 JEC World in Paris (Day 2): Composites in transition
The JEC Europe show has evolved over the past two decades into a very large and very busy convention, with a grown-up feel.
Read MoreNatural fiber composites: Market share, one part at a time
Suppliers and adventurous composites fabricators put the “feel good” aspect in the rearview mirror, winning customers by competing on price and performance.
Read MoreLow-density SMC: Better living through chemistry
Proprietary sizing, special glass roving and microspheres strip 9 kilos of weight from Corvette body panels.
Read MoreWet compression molding
Automated process cuts cycle time and cost for CFRP parts with potential for 65% fiber volume via Dynamic Fluid Compression Molding variant.
Read MoreTurnkey manufacturing systems: Simplifying automated HP-RTM
Having offered turnkey systems for composites since the 1990s for sheet molding compound (SMC), long fiber thermoplastic (LFT) and glass mat thermoplastic (GMT), Dieffenbacher (Eppingen, Germany) now has automated systems for high-pressure resin transfer molding (HP-RTM).
Read MoreTurnkey manufacturing systems: Materials, markets and maturation
Automated production cells promise affordability and less risk in scaling up composites production, but are they really the path forward?
Read MoreGreen resins: Closer to maturity
As more players approach the market, R&D expands, but overall market growth in the composites arena is still slow but steady.
Read MoreStructural adhesives: Plus ça change ….
A CW columnist and the chief commercialization officer for the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI, Knoxville, TN, US), Dale Brosius makes the case that, in both the aerospace and automotive sectors, it’s time to develop robust adhesive alternatives to fasteners.
Read MoreSPE names winners of 2015 Automotive Innovation Awards Competition
Continental Structural Plastics' TCA Ultra Lite sheet molding compound (SMC) for composite body panels was the Materials category and Grand Award winner.
Read MoreCAMX 2015: Award winners, keynote report, show news
If you didn't make it to CAMX 2015, the event was, by all accounts, a success. Feedback from the exhibit floor and the conference was positive and upbeat, and with 7,500+ attendees, the show has established itself as North America's largest composites trade event.
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