Thermoplastics
Tires that never go flat
SciTech Industries and Rapid Composites develop high-volume production tires that use glass fiber/PET composite springs instead of innertubes and compressed air.
Read MoreThermoplastic composites technology: A view from Europe
For this Dutch consortium, bringing the manufacturability of thermoplastic materials to maturity is the goal in concert with OEMs, materials and equipment supplier members.
Read MoreThermoplastic 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.
Read MoreIn-orbit-deployable radar dish
Aramid/PEI delivers flexibility, strength and precision for space-based reflector
Read MoreUnderstanding 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.
Read MoreThermoplastic composites “clip” time, labor on small but crucial parts
Preconsolidated carbon fiber/PPS and PEEK and automated thermoforming enable six-figure production of connectors for the Airbus A350 XWB.
Read MorePolyamide improves impeller performance
Direct-to-milled-tool process simplifies large deck mold development.
Read MorePultruded polyurethane pallets
Composite solution transforms wooden consumable into profit-generating asset.
Read MoreNew thermoplastic work cell to test overmolding
Lanxess subsidiary Bond-Laminates has a new work cell for demonstrating automated Tepex forming and overmolding for process development.
Read MoreBig Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM): Increasing material feed and speed
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, Knoxville, TN, US) and Cincinnati Incorporated (Harrison, OH, US) take steps to increase the laydown rate on their large-format, gantry-based thermoplastic composite 3D printer.
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