Ketones

Queen’s University Belfast presents research in thermoplastic drilling performance optimization

Researchers have published findings from a multi-objective optimization study on carbon fiber-reinforced PEKK drilling in an effort to better understand the material for use in aviation fastenings.

Grace Nehls
Senior Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

Eaton developing carbon-reinforced PEKK to replace aluminum in aircraft air ducts

3D printable material will meet ESD, flammability and other requirements to allow for flexible manufacturing of ducts, without tooling needed today.

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Markforged develops composite 3D printing technology

The FX10, a composite 3D print system with built-in automation, and Vega, a carbon fiber-filled PEKK material from Markforged, expand on 3D printing applications for customers.

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Hybrid process marries continuous, discontinuous composites design

9T Labs and Purdue applied Additive Fusion Technology to engineer a performance- and cost-competitive aircraft bin pin bracket made from compression-molded continuous and discontinuous CFRTP.  

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Clean Sky 2 OUTCOME project demonstrates PEEK thermoplastic composite wingbox cover

Airbus Defense and Space, FIDAMC and Aernnova demonstrate out-of-autoclave, one-shot process for wingbox cover with integrated stringers for regional aircraft.

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Daher CARAC TP project advances thermoplastic composites certification approach

New tests, analysis enable databases, models, design guidelines and methodologies, combining materials science with production processes to predict and optimize part performance at temperatures above Tg (≈150-180°C) for wing and engine structures.

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Tool Gauge, Victrex partner to develop co-molded composite aircraft parts

Novel hybrid overmolding technology achieves novel thermoplastic composite parts to replace machined aluminum components on commercial aircraft, as well as reduce manufacturing costs and timeline.

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Large Scale Additive Manufacturing
Release agents and process chemical specialties
IRIS Ai-enabled Camera
Release agents and process chemical specialties

Hitachi Rail chooses Roboze printers, materials including carbon fiber/PEEK for railway spare parts

The Roboze ARGO 500 will be used at Hitachi Rail factories in Naples, Italy and Maryland, U.S. to reduce cost and delivery times for prototypes and spare parts.

Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

TPRC research studies void removal mechanisms in VBO processing

New publication evaluates vacuum bag only-consolidated carbon fiber/PEEK tapes to determine the role of different void removal mechanisms in thermoplastic composites.

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PEEK vs. PEKK vs. PAEK and continuous compression molding

Suppliers of thermoplastics and carbon fiber chime in regarding PEEK vs. PEKK, and now PAEK, as well as in-situ consolidation — the supply chain for thermoplastic tape composites continues to evolve.

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Tri-Mack introduces thin, lightweight thermoplastic composite enclosures

Durable, low-cost manufacturing support wide range of industrial uses, with option for embedded EMI shielding.  

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Thermoplastic composites welding advances for more sustainable airframes

Multiple demonstrators help various welding technologies approach TRL 6 in the quest for lighter weight, lower cost.

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Materials & Processes: Tooling for composites

Composite parts are formed in molds, also known as tools. Tools can be made from virtually any material. The material type, shape and complexity depend upon the part and length of production run. Here's a short summary of the issues involved in electing and making tools.

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Materials & Processes: Composites fibers and resins

Compared to legacy materials like steel, aluminum, iron and titanium, composites are still coming of age, and only just now are being better understood by design and manufacturing engineers. However, composites’ physical properties — combined with unbeatable light weight — make them undeniably attractive. 

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HEATCON Composite Systems
Keyland Polymer Webinar Coatings on Composite & AM
CIJECT machines and monitoring systems
Airtech International Inc.

Combining multifunctional thermoplastic composites, additive manufacturing for next-gen airframe structures

The DOMMINIO project combines AFP with 3D printed gyroid cores, embedded SHM sensors and smart materials for induction-driven disassembly of parts at end of life.

Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Materials & Processes: Resin matrices for composites

The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement, gives the composite component its shape and determines its surface quality. A composite matrix may be a polymer, ceramic, metal or carbon. Here’s a guide to selection.

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Materials & Processes: Fabrication methods

There are numerous methods for fabricating composite components. Selection of a method for a particular part, therefore, will depend on the materials, the part design and end-use or application. Here's a guide to selection.

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Stratasys collaborates with Lockheed to qualify composite materials for space, aviation end-use parts

Report made public by Metropolitan State University of Denver delivers qualification data for Antero 840CN03 for additively manufactured end-use parts requiring high thermal and chemical resistance, and ESD properties.

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Plant tour: Victrex Composites Solutions, Bristol, Rhode Island, U.S.

De-risking thermoplastic composites at industrial scale via hybrid overmolding.

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Roboze reveals ceramic-filled Helios PEEK 2005 filament to the 3D printing sector

Ceramic reinforcement proves an ideal candidate for applications that require lightness, mechanical strength, heat resistance and highly complex geometry specifications.

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Cygnet Texkimp thermoplastic lab line build supports composites innovation

Direct Melt Impregnation Thermoplastic Line to enable faster development of composites technology in automotive, aerospace, construction and energy markets through dedicated customer trials.

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NewStar Adhesives - Nautical Adhesives
Airtech
Alpha’s Premier ESR®
Release agents and process chemical specialties

Formula 1 team adopts Roboze 3D printed composites

The Visa Cash App RB Formula 1 team is collaborating with Roboze to reduce weight and create parts with complex geometries via carbon fiber/PEEK.

Grace Nehls
Senior Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

Roboze raises funds for composites industrial 3D printing platforms

A diverse pool of domestic and international investors aid in the further acceleration of R&D for ultra-precise 3D printing of carbon fiber PEEK and other polymers.

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AIM3D multi-material 3D printer targets precise, cost-effective polymer processing

Extrusion 3D printer offers considerably faster build rates and can print up to three different materials in parallel for metals, ceramics and high-temperature plastics such as PEEK and PPS with or without fiber filling.

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AON3D, Astrobotic to send 3D-printed parts to the moon

The Peregrine Lander will carry thermoplastic parts printed via AON3D’s high-temperature industrial 3D printer that meet demanding space requirements and cut the vehicle’s weight by half.

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Short carbon fiber compounds expand reach of thermoplastic composites

With fiber weight fractions of up to 50% and an array of thermoplastic matrices available, injection molding compounds are expanding composites’ capabilities.

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Solvay completes South Carolina facility installation, adds to U.S. thermoplastic composite capacity

Facility development is fueled by increasing energy, aerospace and automotive demand, and will manufacture UD PVDF, PPS and PEEK tapes.

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Impossible Object offers high-performance, PEEK 3D-printed products at PA12 prices

Combination of the company’s proprietary CBAM process and lower cost source saves customers up to 80% and offers stronger, better performing products.

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Visual of lab with a yellow line
Airtech
CompositesWorld
Airtech International Inc.