Sara Black Senior Technical Editor Emeritus
Designing bicycling’s lightest pro racing frame
Cervélo’s Vroomen White Design group combines analysis and manufacturing acumen to create a 675g/1.5 lb composite frame.
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Cabin cruiser: Making the most of a mirror finish
The hull mirror-like gel coat finish on the Daedulus 30 cabin cruiser was achieved through a combination of Marine Concepts’ (Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, U.K.) mold design experience and fabrication techniques and materials provided by Scott Bader (Wollaston, Northamptonshire, U.K.).
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Bathware production: Feeder facilitates faster flow
Shower pans molder Just Trays Ltd. (Leeds, West Yorkshire) invests $1.6 million (USD) to improve its manufacturing processes, including the purchase of two of Model T5 Low Headroom Bulk Bag Dischargers from Spiroflow Ltd. (Clitheroe, Lancashire, U.K. and Monroe, N.C.).
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Spread-tow fabrics reduce waveboard weight
Fanatic (Molln, Austria) recently introduced a new version of its windsurfing waveboard, called FreeWave TeXtreme, made with TeXtreme spread carbon tow fabric from Oxeon AB (Boras, Sweden).
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Drag racing champ wins with composite rear wing
A composite rear wing assembly built by Aerodine Composites Group (Indianapolis, Ind.) was critical to 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series champion Larry Dixon’s effort at the wheel of the Al-Anabi Top Fuel dragster.
Read MoreLife Cycle Assessment resources
A collection of resources for those engaged in Life Cycle Assessment programs.
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Life Cycle Assessment: Are composites "green"?
Methods for calculating the impact composites have on the environment enable data-driven comparisons to traditional materials on a level playing field.
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International Building Code: Meeting requirements for interior composites
How to produce FRP parts that can meet International Building Code flame-spread and smoke-obscuration specifications.
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Future combat helmet: Promising prototype
Tape laying, thermoforming methods hold hope for rapid coforming of thermoplastic shell and ballistic liner for U.S. Army’s future warfighter headgear.
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Mold heating study proves pressurized water system
Westminster Solutions and SINGLE Temperature Controls partner to create an RTM cell that heats the mold more efficiently with pressurized water rather than with a conventional oil heating system..
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Improved intumescent: Topcoat allows better laminate performance
Applied to a cured laminate surface, a new intumescent topcoat provides Wright Composites (Galgorm, Ballymena, Northern Ireland) a passive fire barrier that permits the use of a laminating resin with less fire-resistant filler, making possible a tougher part.
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Corrosion resistance: Desert-bound chemical and potable-water tanks
RL Industries (Fairfield, Ohio) recently overcame logistical obstacles to successfully fabricate five large composite storage tanks for a chemical plant in Saudi Arabia.
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