Articles

Out of Autoclave

Composites fuel growth of fuel cell technology

Composite components in hydrogen fuel cell systems help handle higher heat and reduce stack size.

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Adhesives

Ocean-going catamarans: Making speed on composite hulls

This yacht is one of 13 composite yachts from sailboat builder Gunboat (Cape Town, South Africa) able to comfortably travel 300 nautical miles (345 miles/556 km) per day with a minimal crew. 

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Epoxies

Thermoplastic tubulars: Robust flexibility for offshore wells

In the oil and gas industry, a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) system from Airborne Composite Tubulars (The Hague, The Netherlands) is providing a less-expensive alternative to the traditional “rig” for flushing subsea wellhead stacks and injecting glycol under pressure.

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Weaving

On the waterfront: Composite marine piles build on success

Composite sheet pile competes against heavy-gauge steel while composite round piles enhance their position in the market and target wider acceptance in structural applications.  

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Sustainability

IBEX 2009 Show Preview

As they weather the continuing recessionary storm, boatbuilders will dock in Miami to chart a course for the opportunities that await them in the storm’s wake. 

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Mixed-mode fracture toughness of composites

During the 1970s, fracture toughness testing of composite materials developed a very poor reputation, primarily due to failed attempts to directly adopt metals theory and corresponding test methods. However, the basic principles of fracture mechanics remained valid.

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Aerospace

Gearing up for the new economic normal

In late July, as my family and I raced home from our vacation along Interstate 80 in northern Nevada, we found ourselves quickly overtaking a large flatbed tractor trailer. Strapped onto the bed and covered with a massive tarp was a very large … something, about 15 ft long and 8 ft in diameter.

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Adhesives

Resins for the Hot Zone, Part II: BMIs, CEs, benzoxazines and phthalonitriles

Next-generation aerospace programs demand higher temperatures for structural and hot-section components, fostering advances in thermoset resin chemistry.

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Weaving

Modular composites: A perfect fit in new medevac helicopter

Bell Helicopter's new manufacturing parardigm replaces sheet metal with composites in a modular "snap fit" design.

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Automotive

Washington played a big role in Detroit's decline

Benign neglect. That’s a generous way of describing the American government’s 50-plus years of indifference and hostility toward our domestic automakers.

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Automated solution: New presses for SMC molding process

Using glass/polyester sheet molding compound (SMC) that it formulates and manufactures in-house, Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures (Belding, Mich.) produces composite boxes and enclosures for electrical systems and components.

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Sustainability

In-mold alternatives to postmold decoration

CT reviews viable, versatile technologies that reduce the time and cost of finishing composite parts.

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