CW Blog
Ceramic matrix composites heat up
Lightweight, hard and stable at high temperatures, CMCs are emerging from two decades of study and development into commercial applications.
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Software supplier aids parts producer with greater accuracy
Paul Crosby (Crosby Composites, Brackley, Northamptonshire, U.K.) says PowerMILL software, which converts CAD models to NC toolpaths for multiaxis milling, has helped produce F1 composite parts to levels of accuracy rarely seen in the industry.
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The Short Beam Shear test method for composite materials
Dr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures (Salt Lake City, Utah) suggests larger support and loading cylinders for the Short Beam Shear test method.
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Toray + Zoltek = potential game changer?
Consultant Dale Brosius, also president of Dayton, Ohio-based Quickstep Composites LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of Australia-based Quickstep Technologies (Bankstown Airport, New South Wales), sees the Toray buyout of Zoltek as a potential auto-industry game changer.
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Co-infused stringers and carbon fiber at Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show
Midnight Express Boats takes almost 4,000 lb out of its newest model, the 39S, with a switch to infusion and better optimized laminates.
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C-Series composite wing
The C-Series and Learjet 85 feature wing structures manufactured with dry fiber placement, but with cure in an autoclave. CW looks at how it's done.
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Toray makes waves with Zoltek purchase
Toray was already the largest carbon fiber maker in the world, and with Zoltek it not only gets bigger, but expands into new markets.
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Structural preform technologies emerge from the shadows
Not yet in full production, with one exception, all are aimed at accelerating composite part manufacture at fast automotive rates.
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Wind blades: Progress and challenges
Despite double-digit wind energy industry growth, turbine blade manufacturers and materials suppliers acknowledge a pressing need to reduce costs and innovate.
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Composite submarine camels win with long-term durability
U.S. Navy wisely opts for more expensive submarine moorings that maximize lifecycle cost efficiency.
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Manhole covers: Composites replace cast iron on university campus
Traditional cast-iron manhole covers are replaced on a college campus with composite versions manufactured by Fibrelite Composites (Skipton, North Yorkshire, U.K., and Pawcatuck, Conn.).
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Sewer system: Corrosion protection for buried odor-control ductwork
ECS Environmental Solutions (Belton, Texas) was contracted to provide odor control equipment and relied on Vipel vinyl ester resin from AOC Resins (Collierville, Tenn.) for more than 1,000 ft/305m of fiberglass ductwork and accessories.
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