Articles
Thermwood and Bell collaborate on 3D-printed helicopter blade mold
Thermwood employed its new 60-mm melt core technology to additively manufacture the autoclave-capable, carbon fiber-reinforced tool.
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Composites recycling — no more excuses
Columnist Dale Brosius outlines six actionable levels of composites recycling that fabricators should follow.
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Measuring and improving fire resistance in composites
Sidebar to CW’s Feb 2019 feature article, this quick review of fire tests for composites also provides more details about intriguing new material developments.
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Making better composite bikes, Part 2
My latest blog, about HIA Velo bicycles, concerned the use of high molecular weight polypropylene (HMWPP) combined with carbon fiber for more durable bicycle frames. But there’s more to cover on this topic: bicycle rims (wheels) that combine carbon and HMWPP for greater toughness.
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Going discontinuous, for continuous improvement
The HiPerDiF (High Performance Discontinuous Fibre) project is exploring an alternate way of producing high-performance carbon fiber composites: start with discontinuous, rather than continuous fibers.
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Carbon fiber will enable air taxi eVTOLs
Aircraft and autos have indeed faced CFRP production woes, but new tech opens door for both.
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Withstanding fire without the weight
New composites meet stringent fire requirements while lightweighting ships, rail cars and battery boxes for electric cars and planes.
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Index moves higher as five of six indicators report expansion
The GBI: Composites Fabricating Index registers a 55.1 reading for December 2018, pulled higher by supplier deliveries, production, new orders and employment.
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Thermoplastic door a first for automotive composites
A team of automotive researchers are engaged in a four-year project with goals of building a lighter, 100% recyclable, carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic door.
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Proving performance in EV powertrains
Simulation-driven development replaces aluminum with thermoplastic composites in gearbox housing.
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