Thermoplastics

Aerospace

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.

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Aerospace

Thermoplastic 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.

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Wind/Energy

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.

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In-orbit-deployable radar dish

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

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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.

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Sustainability

Thermoplastic 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.

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Construction

Polyamide improves impeller performance

Direct-to-milled-tool process simplifies large deck mold development.

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Pultruded polyurethane pallets

Composite solution transforms wooden consumable into profit-generating asset.

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New 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.

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Thermoplastics

Big 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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Greenerd Compression Molding
Kent Pultrusion
Wabash
Toray Advanced Composites hi-temperature materials
ELFOAM rigid foam products
Custom Hydraulic Press Manufacturing
CompositesWorld
HEATCON Composite Systems
Chem Trend