Composites Use in Consumer Products
The complexity and costs of design and manufacture with composite materials lend them well to structural applications like aircraft wings, boat hulls, and car bodies. However, one of the largest markets by volume for composites is consumer goods, including electronics, sporting goods, bathtubs and swimming pools, bicycles, recreational vehicles (RV) and more.
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Arris debuts consumer-driven brand for carbon fiber tech
Limited-edition products, from footwear to phone cases, will be available through Aurorra by Arris.
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DITF, Fiber Engineering highlight biodegradable natural fiber plant pot project
Materials and fabrication process R&D achieves low-cost, compostable plant pots made from invasive hyacinth fibers and a thermoplastic matrix processed via hot press.
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Carbitex secures capital for next phase of growth in carbon fiber plate footwear
Carbitex Inc. announces the close of a recent funding round, aiding its 2-year effort to restructure the company and expand its global market presence.
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Self-balancing electric mobility vehicle developed by Genny Factory SA, RadiciGroup, Acerbis
The two-wheeled personal transporter was redesigned from metal to composite and plastic components to reduce weight while meeting performance standards.
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Syensqo provides PARA resin for Artiphon musical instrument
Artiphon has chosen Syensqo’s Ixef PARA fiber-filled resin in the production of Chorda, its custom handheld electronic musical instrument.
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Glass fiber-reinforced Akulon RePurposed recyclate enables Ahrend sustainable office chair
Envalior 30% glass fiber-reinforced Akulon RePurposed material helps Ahrend achieve lighter task chair with closed-loop value chain and reduced emissions.
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The composites industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of sustainability in its operations. As demand for lightweight and durable materials rises across various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction, there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with traditional composite manufacturing processes.
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Latest Consumer News And Updates
AOC and partners achieve styrene-free composite RV roof
Indupol, Büfa and AOC brought their materials and fabrication know-how to yield a styrene-free gelcoat and RTM formulation for the manufacture of luxury vehicle roofs.
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Carbon Mobile carbon fiber powers handheld gaming platform
HyRECM technology effectively stabilizes carbon fiber’s electrical and antenna properties, enabling development of next-gen electronics, such as the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2.
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Swancor, Massload jointly develop 100% recycled bicycle bottle cage
A blend of recycled carbon fiber and PA6 pellets, the bicycle component will be commercialized in Q1 2024.
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Ekbacken Studios furniture incorporates Sulapac wood composites
High-end design furniture is 3D printed from bio-based, eco-friendly materials for aesthetic and sustainable home product options.
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Rein4ced, Dieffenbacher automate large-scale production of CFRP bike frames
A synergistic alliance combining Dieffenbacher’s production automation with Rein4ced’s hybrid Feather composite led to fully automated bike frame production line, which will be expanded to other composite products.
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Acciona Energía, El Ganso develop shoes made with recycled wind blade materials
Limited-edition sneakers feature soles composed of micronized dismantled wind blades from a wind farm in Navarra, Spain.
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Featured Posts
Repurposing wind blades as functional community art pieces
Ohio-based Canvus Inc. upcycles fiberglass wind blades, car tires and post-consumer plastics to create outdoor furniture that amplifies sustainability messages in community spaces.
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Plant tour: Arris Composites, Berkeley, Calif., U.S.
The creator of Additive Molding is leveraging automation and thermoplastics to provide high-volume, high-quality, sustainable composites manufacturing services.
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Running shoe insoles get a lift with thermoplastic fiberglass tapes
FlexSpring insoles take advantage of unidirectional, continuous fiberglass and thermoplastics to enable next-level performance for the everyday runner.
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Lighter, stronger, faster bionic hand aided by composites design
Psyonic’s touch-sensing prosthetic hand leverages bionic technology, 3D printing and a carbon fiber composite exterior for light weight, high strength and high-tech functionality.
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Digital Demo: UV-Cured Powder Coating on Carbon Fiber
Keyland Polymer's R&D chemist will demonstrate the UV powder coating application process followed by UV curing on a carbon fiber water bottle holder. (Sponsored)
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Materials & Processes: Fibers for composites
The structural properties of composite materials are derived primarily from the fiber reinforcement. Fiber types, their manufacture, their uses and the end-market applications in which they find most use are described.
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FAQ: Consumer
How are composites used in sporting goods?
Carbon fiber composite bicycle frames are the highest-profile application of composites in sporting goods – but they have also long been used in high-performance fishing rods, tennis rackets, skis, surfboards and more. Protective equipment such as helmets, or high-performance athletic shoes, can also be made with composite materials.
How are composites used in consumer electronics?
Composites are often used under the cover of consumer electronics, such as for components in circuit boards. Composites have also been trialed for lightweight, high-performance laptop and phone covers and other applications.
How are carbon fiber composite bikes manufactured?
Today, many carbon fiber composite bike frames are fabricated and shipped from fabricators in Asian countries, largely incorporating labor-intensive hand layup processes with carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy prepreg. Efforts are being made to develop more bicycle manufacturing in the U.S. and Europe, including more automated processes and thermoplastic materials, or even 3D printing.