Articles

Feature

The future of quartz and oxide fibers at Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramic Composites

New business builds on 100-year legacy in quartz, prepares for growth, while starting production of oxide fibers to meet increased demand for CMC by aerospace and industrial sectors.

Read More
Aerospace

From the CW Archives: Drilling is not for the faint of heart

This edition of From the CW Archives revisits CW’s first plant tour — a visit to the F-35 FAL in Fort Worth, Texas — and a story by Ginger Gardiner a few years later. Both offer lessons on how to perform stacked drilling through composite and metallic materials. 

Read More
Natural Fibers

European boatbuilders lead quest to build recyclable composite boats

Marine industry constituents are looking to take composite use one step further with the production of tough and recyclable recreational boats. Some are using new infusible thermoplastic resins.

Read More
Recycling

Demonstrator project targets circularity solutions in carbon fiber composite sports equipment

The Carbon Fibre Circular Alliance (CFCA) brought together OEMs and technical partners to reclaim short carbon fibers from end-of-life sports equipment, realign into continuous prepreg tapes and remanufacture into new equipment.

Watch
Aerospace

Designing and manufacturing turbine test nacelles

Michigan-based Ground Test Solutions (GTS) shares the design and manufacturing processes involved in building composite nacelle components used in testing jet and helicopter engines.

Read More
Work In Progress

Update: THOR project for industrialized, recyclable thermoplastic composite tanks for hydrogen storage

A look into the tape/liner materials, LATW/recycling processes, design software and new equipment toward commercialization of Type 4.5 tanks.

Read More
Defense

Defense manufacturer reflects on growth, opportunity in complex composite structures

Long Island-based, four-time CW Top Shops honoree GSE Dynamics cites diversification in processes, digitalization, workforce training and more on its successes over 50+ years, and looks ahead to future growth.

Read More

Multi-scale 3D CT imaging enables digital twinning, high-fidelity simulation of composite structures

Computed tomography (CT) provides highly accurate 3D analysis of internal microstructure, performance simulation of carbon fiber/PEEK satellite strut.

Read More
CW Top Shops

Industrial equipment manufacturer expands global footprint, reaches into new markets

India-based CW Top Shops honoree EPP Composites reflects on a recently successful vertical filament winding application and new pultruded FRP rebar capabilities, as well as future opportunities.

Watch
Wind/Energy

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.

Watch
Glass Fibers

Fiberglass conduit manufacturer grows into new products, infrastructure applications

Texas-based Champion Fiberglass, a five-time CW Top Shops honoree, expands its success in the fiberglass composite conduit market into new applications and products, looking toward future automation and sustainability initiatives.

Read More
Economics

Composites industry activity stayed steady in January

The GBI: Composites Fabricating contracted in January to about the same degree it did in December, representing a move in the right direction.

Read More