Out of Autoclave
Bladder-assisted compression molding derivative produces complex, autoclave-quality automotive parts
HP Composites’ AirPower technology enables high-rate CFRP roof production with 50% energy savings for the Maserati MC20.
Stewart Mitchell
Contributing Writer
Composite resins price change report
CW’s running summary of resin price change announcements from major material suppliers that serve the composites manufacturing industry.
Read MoreSmartValves offer improvements over traditional vacuum bag ports
Developed to resolve tilting and close-off issues, SmartValves eliminate cutting through vacuum bags while offering reduced process time and maintenance.
Read MoreGKN Aerospace, Joby Aviation sign aerostructures agreement
GKN Aerospace will manufacture thermoplastic composite flight control surfaces for Joby’s all-electric, four-passenger, composites-intensive ride-sharing aircraft.
Read MoreCompPair adds swift prepreg line to HealTech Standard product family
The HealTech Standard product family from CompPair has been expanded with the addition of CS02, a swift prepreg line.
Read MoreMFFD thermoplastic floor beams — OOA consolidation for next-gen TPC aerostructures
GKN Fokker and Mikrosam develop AFP for the Multifunctional Fuselage Demonstrator’s floor beams and OOA consolidation of 6-meter spars for TPC rudders, elevators and tails.
Read MorePEEK 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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COMPINNOV TP2 project promotes use of thermoplastics in aerospace
Completed in 2023, COMPINNOV TP2 explored thermoplastic composites, enhancing the understanding between prepregs and production methods to foster the potential for French aerospace innovation.
Grace Nehls
Senior Managing Editor, CompositesWorld
Novel composite technology replaces welded joints in tubular structures
The Tree Composites TC-joint replaces traditional welding in jacket foundations for offshore wind turbine generator applications, advancing the world’s quest for fast, sustainable energy deployment.
Read MorePlant tour: Albany Engineered Composites, Rochester, N.H., U.S.
Efficient, high-quality, well-controlled composites manufacturing at volume is the mantra for this 3D weaving specialist.
Read MoreNovel dry tape for liquid molded composites
MTorres seeks to enable next-gen aircraft and open new markets for composites with low-cost, high-permeability tapes and versatile, high-speed production lines.
Read MoreThe state of recycled carbon fiber
As the need for carbon fiber rises, can recycling fill the gap?
Read MoreOne-piece, one-shot, 17-meter wing spar for high-rate aircraft manufacture
GKN Aerospace has spent the last five years developing materials strategies and resin transfer molding (RTM) for an aircraft trailing edge wing spar for the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow program.
Read MoreTrelleborg launches low-friction thermoplastic composite bearing
The HiMod Advanced Composite Bearing Plus is a dual-layer bearing with a low-friction PEEK liner that doubles as an impermeable sealing surface, in addition to 50% less sliding friction, increased wear performance.
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From the CW Archives: Airbus A400M cargo door
The inaugural CW From the Archives revisits Sara Black’s 2007 story on out-of-autoclave infusion used to fabricate the massive composite upper cargo door for the Airbus A400M military airlifter.
Jeff Sloan
Brand Vice President, CompositesWorld & Plastics Technology, CompositesWorld
CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Renegade Materials Corp.
Renegade Materials is promoting its high-performance prepreg, RTM resin and adhesive products for use in demanding aerospace applications.
Read MoreMaterials & 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.
Read MoreMaterials & 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.
Read MoreMaterials & 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.
Read MoreMaterials & 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.
Read MoreMaterials & 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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VIDEO: One-Piece, OOA Infusion for Aerospace Composites
Tier-1 aerostructures manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems developed an out-of-autoclave (OOA), one-shot resin infusion process to reduce weight, labor and fasteners for a multi-spar aircraft torque box.
RUAG rebrands as Beyond Gravity, boosts CFRP satellite dispenser capacity
NEW smart factory in Linköping will double production and use sensors, data analytics for real-time quality control — CW talks with Holger Wentscher, Beyond Gravity’s head of launcher programs.
Read MoreHaydale Graphene awarded Innovate UK grant to develop smart composite tooling
The ESENSE project aims to replace costly autoclave processes with a multi-zone OOA self-heated tooling solution, potentially cutting lead times by 20%, energy by 15% and halving the cost of autoclave manufacturing.
Read MoreDLR Institute of Structures and Design releases video on TB-Rumpf welded thermoplastic composites
Autoclave-free consolidation and resistance welding validated for future aircraft thermoplastic composite fuselage.
Read MoreHexcel introduces G-Vent technology for thick, OOA marine structures
Hexcel marine prepregs are available with G-Vent integrated, enabling out-of-autoclave processing with reduced time, cost and autoclave-comparable porosity for highly loaded masts and foils without debulking.
Read MorePlant tour: Victrex Composites Solutions, Bristol, Rhode Island, U.S.
De-risking thermoplastic composites at industrial scale via hybrid overmolding.
Read MoreMiddle River Aerostructure Systems displays aeroengine nacelle using AFP and RTM composites
Highlights technologies and manufacturing processes that enhance aeroengine operating efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and noise.
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