CW Blog
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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Foiling motoryacht impresses in carbon fiber/epoxy
A project is underway to build a faster, lighter, hybrid-electric motorboat with foils and hull fabricated from carbon fiber and epoxy.
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Energy storage in multifunctional carbon fiber composites
A need for lightweight energy storage technology is fueling the development of carbon fiber composite materials for car batteries and other electronics.
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Plant tour: Meggitt San Diego, CA, US
This aerospace and defense fabricator upgrades to a larger facility and gets, in the process, a chance to rethink and optimize material, people and process flow.
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3D printing is missing the third dimension
Emerging processes like continuous fiber manufacturing, in-situ consolidation and tool-less manufacturing are bringing composite 3D printing into the third dimension.
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