Toray Advanced Composites USA Inc. Suppliers Showroom

Ultrasonic welding for in-space manufacturing of CFRTP

Agile Ultrasonics and NASA trial robotic-compatible carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic ultrasonic welding technology for space structures.

Mikrosam AFP work cell to enhance Qarbon's TPC part development

Commission of a Libra-series robotic AFP system, paired with Toray’s Cetex thermoplastic composite materials, will accelerate Qarbon Aerospace’s development timelines and reduce risk in future aerospace qualification efforts.

Aerospace prepregs with braided reinforcement demonstrate improved production rates, cost

A recent time study compares the layup of a wing spar using prepreg with A&P’s TX-45 continuous braided reinforcement versus traditional twill woven prepreg.

JEC World 2025 highlights: Trends in aerospace, new space and defense

CW editor-in-chief Scott Francis discusses trends in aerospace on display at JEC World — as the composites industry awaits a new single aisle aircraft program, the industry puts continued focus on new space, defense, UAM.

The AAMMC Tech Hub: Ramping U.S. production of large thermoplastic composite aerostructures

CW talks with Syensqo, Spirit AeroSystems and other consortia members about current funding, specification of the next world’s largest press, organizational structure and projects to support U.S. companies in the race to deliver >40,000 sustainable and efficient aircraft over the next 20 years.

Composites end markets: New space (2025)

Composite materials — with their unmatched strength-to-weight ratio, durability in extreme environments and design versatility — are at the heart of innovations in satellites, propulsion systems and lunar exploration vehicles, propelling the space economy toward a $1.8 trillion future.

AAMMC aerospace tech hub earns $50 million in funding

Federal funding, as well as industry and private commitments will establish a test bed for aerospace composite materials in the Pacific Northwest with industry partners like Boeing, NASA, Collins Aerospace, Toray, Syensqo and more.

Proving thermoplastic composites match carbon fiber/epoxy performance in road bikes

CDCQ, LxSim, Addcomp and Argon 18 collaborate to optimize a carbon fiber/PA6 bike seat post, democratizing AFP and demonstrating materials and process for future designs and production.

Natilus challenges the Boeing-Airbus duopoly

CW interviews CEO Aleksey Matyushev about composites, certification and the airlines’ needs for increased narrowbody production and decarbonization that aren’t being met.

Toray Advanced Composites expands continuous fiber TPC capacity, capabilities

Assets, technology and IP acquisition of Colorado-based Gordon Plastics will enhance Toray’s product portfolio, growing its ability to support emerging markets in thermoplastic composites.

People in composites: August 2024

Toray Advanced Composites, Horizon Aircraft, Skydweller Aero, BYK, North Thin Ply Technology and Crisalion Mobility have made new appointments related to the composites industry.

ITHEC 2024 finalizes conference program, features CW panel on TPC certification for future airframes

The International Conference and Exhibition on Thermoplastic Composites on Oct. 9-10, 2024 features top speakers and sessions on novel TPC technologies and applications in automotive, aerospace, hydrogen and more.

Autocomposites market is expected to double revenue by 2032

Increase in demand for lightweight vehicles, stringent regulations and a rise in EV adoption are factors that are currently driving growth in automotive composites, according to a recent report.

People in composites: May 2024

Take a look at this month’s new hires, promotions and company developments from Daher, Carbon ThreeSixty, Collins Aerospace, Toray Advanced Composites, Syensqo, Zoltek, Technical Fibre Products, Bedford and Mito.

Toray Advanced Composites is recognized for quality excellence

Northrop Grumman awarded the composite materials supplier with one of its 2024 Supplier Excellence Awards.

Toray announces Cetex TC915 PA+ thermoplastic tape

Strengthened polyamide-based unidirectional tape has been added to the Cetex portfolio, addressing high-performance applications.

Welding is not bonding

Discussion of the issues in our understanding of thermoplastic composite welded structures and certification of the latest materials and welding technologies for future airframes.

Toray announces opening of AAM collaboration space in Ohio

As part of the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) space, Toray enables a closer partnership between AAM community members and global composite material experts.

Toray Advanced Composites to expand Morgan Hill operations

A 74,000-square-foot expansion will increase advanced composites production capacity by 50% in preparation for surging market demand.

Composites manufacturing for general aviation aircraft

General aviation, certified and experimental, has increasingly embraced composites over the decades, a path further driven by leveraged innovation in materials and processes and the evolving AAM market.

Plant tour: Joby Aviation, Marina, Calif., U.S.

As the advanced air mobility market begins to take shape, market leader Joby Aviation works to industrialize composites manufacturing for its first-generation, composites-intensive, all-electric air taxi.

NASA awardees to develop sustainable aviation composite tech

Fourteen Advanced Composites Consortium organizations support the evaluation and development of next-gen thermosets, resin-infused composites and thermoplastics at small scales.

Toray achieves NADCAP accreditation for thermoplastic prepreg manufacture

Toray reported to be the first composites company to receive the Non-Metallic Materials Manufacturing – Thermoplastic Prepreg Manufacturing AC7124/6 certification.

CW presents "CW Tech Days: Thermoplastics for large structures"

Attend this May 18th interactive webinar sponsored by Altair, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Toray and Collins Aerospace which will explore the materials and processing technologies that are enabling the transition into thermoplastics.

PEEK vs. PEKK vs. PAEK and continuous compression molding

Suppliers of thermoplastics and carbon fiber chime in regarding PEEK vs. PEKK, and now PAEK, as well as in-situ consolidation — the supply chain for thermoplastic tape composites continues to evolve.

Joby begins final assembly of company-conforming aircraft

California-built eVTOL aircraft tests Joby’s matured quality management system in preparation for FAA type and production certifications.

Composites opportunities in eVTOLs

As eVTOL OEMs seek to advance program certification, production scale-up and lightweighting, AAM’s penetration into the composites market is moving on an upward trajectory.

The state of recycled carbon fiber

As the need for carbon fiber rises, can recycling fill the gap?

Toray, Specialty Materials strengthen partnership for next-gen aerospace applications

Commercial partnership enables novel solution innovations with domestically produced, high-quality products within the U.S. supply chain.

Plant tour: ÉireComposites, Galway, Ireland

An in-house testing business and R&D focus has led to innovative materials use and projects in a range of markets, from civil aerospace to renewable energy to marine.

Materials & Processes: Tooling for composites

Composite parts are formed in molds, also known as tools. Tools can be made from virtually any material. The material type, shape and complexity depend upon the part and length of production run. Here's a short summary of the issues involved in electing and making tools.

Toray supplies HiCAM project with thermoset, thermoplastic prepreg technologies

Toray Composite Materials America and Toray Advanced Composites divisions support technologies reducing cost, improving performance and increasing delivery rates in airframe manufacturing.

SpaceAM announces preliminary program for July event

The U.K. conference, to occur July 12-13, 2022 at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, explores the use of advanced materials such as AM and composites through a range of speakers, sessions and topics.

Materials & Processes: Resin matrices for composites

The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement, gives the composite component its shape and determines its surface quality. A composite matrix may be a polymer, ceramic, metal or carbon. Here’s a guide to selection.

JEC World 2022, Part 3: Emphasizing emerging markets, thermoplastics and carbon fiber

CW editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan identifies companies exhibiting at JEC World 2022 that are advancing both materials and technologies for the growing AAM, hydrogen, automotive and sustainability markets.

Cycling forward with bike frame materials and processes

Fine-tuning of conventional materials and processes characterizes today’s CFRP bicycle frame manufacturing, whether in the large factories of Asia or at reshored facilities in North America and Europe. Thermoplastic resins and automated processes are on the horizon, though likely years away from high-volume production levels.

Joby Aviation advances toward FAA certification, highlights Toray prepreg and Coriolis AFP machines

Joby Aviation aims for FAA Part 135 certificate by end of 2022 and launch of commercial service by 2024 as it completes first production-intent aircraft from its pilot manufacturing facility; composites play a key role.

Plant tour: Victrex Composites Solutions, Bristol, Rhode Island, U.S.

De-risking thermoplastic composites at industrial scale via hybrid overmolding.

Joby begins first conformity test, enters next phase of certification process

First series of conformity tests were completed at Toray Advanced Composites’ U.S. facility, with thousands more to be performed to achieve type certification of the composite eVTOL.

NIAR-WSU, Victrex begin NCAMP materials and process qualification for AFP

In-depth investigation into AFP machine variability on composite allowables begins on carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) test panels to achieve certification framework.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope successfully launches to space

Innovative technologies and composite materials from RUAG Space and Toray Advanced Composites contribute to protection of the complex observatory at launch and during its six-month journey in space.

Plant tour: ATC Manufacturing, Post Falls, Idaho, U.S.

ATC is at the top of the list when it comes to thermoplastic composites and aerostructures manufacturing. CW explains why.

Higher performance, lower cost helicopter rotor blades developed with OOA, FAA-qualified composites

Erickson Inc. and partner Toray Advanced Composites replaced legacy aluminum S-64 main rotor blades with out-of-autoclave, multi-material composite alternatives.

NASA's Lucy spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin, begins journey to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids

Launched for its 12-year journey in space, the Lucy aircraft is decked out with advanced scientific instruments, 170 square feet of composite structures and several 3D-printed parts.

Electroimpact, Toray, Janicki advance technologies for rapid, large-scale thermoplastic parts manufacture

Project combines Electroimpact high-speed AFP equipment, Janicki’s OOA heated layup tooling system and Toray Cetex TC1225 low melt PAEK UD tape for deposition rates of up to 4,000 inches/minute.

Out-of-autoclave VBO rear spar, thermoplastic ribs target Wing of Tomorrow

French Tier 1 aerospace supplier Daher develops out-of-autoclave materials and process technologies for application in next-gen structures for the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow program.

Toray Advanced Composites expands thermoplastic composites capabilities

High-heat laminate press enables consolidation of Toray Cetex reinforced thermoplastic composite laminates up to 400°C and produces 50% larger laminates for large-part geometry capabilities.

Wing of Tomorrow ribs: One-shot, thermoplastic, OOA consolidation

GKN Aerospace’s carbon fiber thermoplastic aircraft rib design accomplishes 45-minute cycle times, reduced weight and competitive costs via a customized press system.

Report suggests up to $14.7 billion in eVTOL market growth by 2041

The demanding requirements of electric-powered flight are said to offer a promising market for a host of new technologies, aviation-grade batteries, electric motors and composite materials being a few.

Toray, Joby Aviation finalize long-term carbon fiber supply agreement

Toray carbon fiber materials will be used throughout the eVTOL aircraft structure, propulsion systems and interior components, with hopes to bring it to commercial operation as early as 2023.

Moving forward on the Multifunctional Fuselage Demonstrator (MFFD)

Clean Sky 2’s MFFD program continues to move toward its goal of delivering a welded, thermoplastic composite fuselage demonstrator using next-generation manufacturing processes.

Boom rolls out supersonic test aircraft XB-1

Highlighting a 71-foot-long fuselage, carbon fiber composite airframe and a host of other notable features, the demonstrator will now be headed for its ground test program and a 100% carbon-neutral flight test in 2021.

People in Composites: September 2020

CW’s monthly roundup of people news in the composites industry this month includes Vestas, HRC Group, Toray Advanced Composites and more.

Toray expands high-performance composite tooling supply in U.S.

The Toray AmberTool HX56 composite tooling prepregs will be fully stocked in the central U.S. enhancing the speed of supply and regional availability. Products are available as of Sept. 22, 2020.

EconCore, Toray and Bostik collaborate on FST-qualified thermoplastic honeycomb panels

Developed for mass transportation applications, including aircraft interiors, the material improves upon the cost, sustainability and versatility of conventional sandwich layup.

Composites launch to Mars

NASA’s recently launched Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter are supported by numerous composite materials and structures.

SpaceAM announces preliminary lineup for September event

A conference and exhibition highlighting the use of advanced materials in space technology is scheduled to take place Sept. 15-16, 2020 in Leicester, U.K.

Composites suppliers, fabricators respond to coronavirus

Companies across the composites industry supply chain share how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting their businesses, and how they are available to help.

Tooling, precision enable composites in satellite subsystems

Tight tolerances drive design and engineering of large-format composite component and dishes to create unique satellite structures.

Composites in the race to space

Advanced materials use in current and upcoming NASA missions.

NIAR's NCAMP announces release of first thermoplastic material

Toray’s Cetex TC1225 is a low-melt PAEK and is part of a broad effort by the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) to qualify thermoplastic materials

Advancing thermoplastic composites and RTM for Clean Sky 2 in Spain

EURECAT leads projects for TPC keel beam, window frames and thermoset RTM fuselage frames with TPC shear ties for next-gen aircraft.

Airborne substrate panels enable JUICE spacecraft solar array

Airborne delivers solar array substrate panels for use in the European Space Agency’s mission to explore the icy moons of Jupiter.

Toray structural resin system developed for high-end motorsports

The Toray TC346 prepreg resin system is said to have the highest combined Tg and high-temperature mechanical property retention available for the market.

NASA all-electric experimental aircraft to begin ground testing

NASA’s X-57 Maxwell has been delivered to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in its Mod II configuration and will soon undergo extensive ground testing of its integrated electric propulsion system.

Toray Advanced Composites, NCC sign R&D partnership agreement

As a Tier 1 member of the National Composites Centre, Toray Advanced Composites will collaborate with the the NCC on automotive and aerospace R&D programs.

Composites industry events to highlight thermoplastics, defense, space

A roundup of news about events in the composites industry, including the TPRC’s thermoplastics conference and events from Composites UK, ACMA and more.

BASF, Toray Advanced Composites sign supply agreement

Toray Advanced Composites will produce continuous fiber-reinforced tapes using BASF thermoplastic resins, targeting automotive and industrial applications.

2019 Paris Air Show: Highlights

The 2019 Paris Air Show may have lacked the glamour of a new aircraft program announcement, but the composites industry represented is clearly gearing up for next-generation aerospace manufacturing.

Thermoplastic composites: Poised to step forward

The evolving role of thermoplastic materials and processes and their future in next-generation commercial aircraft.

More from JEC World 2019

CW continues to share composites industry news, product releases and more as the editors unpack findings from JEC 2019.

TenCate Advanced Composites changes its name to Toray Advanced Composites

The new name was announced at JEC World 2019. TenCate Performance Composites, a subsidiary of TenCate Advanced Composites, will subsequently change to Toray PMC.

NIAR's NCAMP qualifying TenCate thermoplastic composite

TenCate’s Cetex TC1225 T700GC 12K T1E unidirectional tape is a low-melt polyaryletherketone (LMPAEK) and is part of a broad effort by the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) to qualify thermoplastic materials.

Aston Martin and TenCate partner on Valkyrie hypercar

TenCate to supply advanced composite materials for a broad range of end-use applications throughout the car, including structural, cosmetic and high-temperature components.

TenCate Advanced Composites recognized with Boeing Performance Excellence Award

TenCate represents one of only 329 suppliers to receive the Silver level Award.

Episode 20: Delft Hyperloop

Thymo Vlot and Ze Soengas of Delft Hyperloop and John Jackson of TenCate Advanced Composites discuss Delft’s entry in the SpaceX Hyperloop competition.

JEC World 2018: The highlights

JEC World is the composites industry’s largest trade show and did not disappoint this year.

TenCate Advanced Composites confirmed to be on the market

TenCate is exploring options for a potential strategic partner to acquire the company as aerospace OEMs begin a more serious assessment of next-generation aircraft materials. A carbon fiber and/or resin manufacturer would be a likely suitor of TenCate.

Consolidating thermoplastic composite aerostructures in place, Part 2

Thermoplastic composite structures could eliminate the autoclave and fasteners, but will a one- or two-step process prevail?

I want to say two words to you: “Thermoplastic tapes”

Thermoplastic tapes are not new to composites, but they soon will join the primary aerostructures material palette and could be their future.

Consolidating thermoplastic composite aerostructures in place, Part 1

After more than 30 years of development, in-situ consolidation is nearing its promise to eliminate fasteners and the autoclave, and enable an integrated, multifunctional airframe.

Supersonic flight goes commercial, again

Boom Technology describes its program to validate a cost-effective faster-than-sound airliner.

JEC World 2017 exhibit preview

JEC World will be held March 14-16 in Paris. CW previews some of the products and technologies that will be at the show.

Composites industry is growing up—but hurdles still remain

It’s the era of when, not if, for the use of composite materials.

CAMX 2016 Show Report

The 3rd annual joint ACMA/SAMPE-sponsored trade event comes to Anaheim with an exhibition and conference program attractive to professionals across the composites world.

Thermoplastic composites in flight ... for decades

Thermoplastic composite airframe components parts have a surprisingly long history. Here's one of the earliest applications.

Precision design for deployable space structures

Enabling SMAP mission success, unprecedented design requirements were deftly managed using composites in the largest unfurling and rotating reflector to date.

TenCate opens its European Centre of Excellence for thermoset composite materials

The opening follows a period of significant investment for the UK operation of TenCate Advanced Composites.

First 3D woven composite for NASA thermal protection systems

A NASA-led team develops 3D woven quartz preform, hybrid process to infuse it with cyanate ester resin (0.5% voids) and achieves TRL5 in three years to replace CF/phenolic in the Orion spacecraft’s compression pads.

Plant tour: Harris Corp., Rochester, N.Y., U.S.

High-technology telescope and space structures expertise has its roots in legacy Kodak programs.

VBO prepregs: The Vision SF50

OOA vacuum-bag-only process makes carbon fiber structures a reality for the world’s first personal jet.

The end of delamination?

A spin-off from MIT's NECSTlab, N12 Technologies Inc. launches NanoStitch, the world's first vertically aligned CNT product via a continuous industrial process, which bridges adjacent CFRP plies, boosting interlaminar shear and increasing fatigue life by 100%.

Thermoplastic composites technology: A view from Europe

For this Dutch consortium, bringing the manufacturability of thermoplastic materials to maturity is the goal in concert with OEMs, materials and equipment supplier members.

In-orbit-deployable radar dish

Aramid/PEI delivers flexibility, strength and precision for space-based reflector

Thermoplastic composites “clip” time, labor on small but crucial parts

Preconsolidated carbon fiber/PPS and PEEK and automated thermoforming enable six-figure production of connectors for the Airbus A350 XWB.

Quasi-isotropic, symmetrical fabric for tooling

Well-known in structural applications, this symmetric, balanced and quasi-isotropic fabric offers savings and opens opportunities in composites tooling.

New aerocomposites niche: Helicopter transmission gears?

A NASA study shows that steel/composite hybrid gears save significant weight, and could mitigate vibration-related noise.

Tooling (2015)

Composite parts are formed in molds, also known as tools. Tools can be made from virtually any material. The material type, shape and complexity depend upon the part and length of production run. Here's a short summary of the issues involved in electing and making tools.

Fiber reinforcement forms

Fibers used to reinforce composites are supplied directly by fiber manufacturers and indirectly by converters in a number of different forms, which vary depending on the application. Here's a guide to what's available.

Farnborough 2014 Airshow Report

No longer a novelty at aerospace trade events, composites nevertheless faced competition from conventional materials at this year’s event.

Composites business does grow on trees

This advanced composites contractor welcomes down-to-earth opportunities to bring aerospace quality to fantasy foliage.

TAPAS 2: Next steps in thermoplastic aerostructures

The Netherland's-based Thermoplastic Affordable Primary Aircraft Structure (TAPAS) consortium's TAPAS 2 team builds on the successes of TAPAS 1, taking the next steps in aircraft thermoplastic composites architecture.

2014 JEC Europe Review

The composites world met again in Paris, vibrant, stronger, and more forward-looking than ever before.

JEC Europe 2014 Review

The composites world met again in Paris, vibrant, stronger, and more forward-looking than ever before.

The Curiosity Mars rover: Descent stage composites

Apart from the aeroshell that protected the Curiosity rover during its months in space and Mars descent sequence, only a few other parts of the mission’s descent stage were made from composite materials. Here, HPC identifies and describes them.

Composites carry the Curiosity rover to a safe Mars landing

From launch to touchdown, composites performed in flight and stuck the landing!

Thermoplastic composites save weight in rotorcraft aerostructure

This helicopter structure outdoes both metal and thermoset-composite alternatives.

BMI and benzoxazine battle for future OOA aerocomposites

Offering weight, cost and process advantages, these “hot zone” resins are moving down the thermometer and into out-of-autoclave structural applications and autoclavable tooling now dominated by epoxies.

Inside a thermoplastic composites hotbed

As production of the A350 XWB ramps up, so does manufacture of the thermoplastic fuselage clips the plane requires. HPC sees how it’s done.

Compression molding mass out of aircraft interiors

Continuous carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic lightweights smoke detector pan and slashes production cycle time.

HPC's 20th Anniversary: Thanks to HPC’s charter advertisers

Every trade publication lives and dies by its advertisers, and those who had the gumption to ante up for HPC’s premier issue are listed here and those who are still with us (see page numbers below) are gratefully recognized with the HPC 20th Anniversary Medallion.

Optimization software improves small, low-cost satellite design

Ames Research Center’s (Moffett Field, Calif.) designs and builds a low-cost, small spacecraft on a quick turnaround, using a modular strategy based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts and with the aid of several design software packages and finite element solvers.

Composites aid connectivity on commercial aircraft

General Dynamics’ triband radome helps LiveTV team overcome transmissivity challenges during development of in-flight broadband services.

SAMPE 2013 Long Beach new product showcase

The SAMPE 2013 trade show (May 6-9, in Long Beach, Calif.) was the venue for introductions of a large number of new composite materials, technologies and manufacturing processes. Here's the HPC editorial staff's compilation of what was on display.

JEC Europe 2013 review

Snow in Paris slowed traffic to the show floor but did nothing to cool the enthusiasm of composites innovators in a broad range of markets.

JEC Europe 2013 new product showcase

The JEC Europe 2013 trade show (March 12-14, at the Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, Paris, France) was the venue for introductions of a large number of new composite materials, technologies and manufacturing processes. Here's the CT editorial staff's compilation of what was on display.

SAMPE Europe 2013/JEC Europe 2013 highlights

Held concurrently, these two seminal European composites events weathered a rare Parisian snowstorm to plumb the depth and breadth of the industry.

JEC 2013 at first blush

CT Editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan risks some immediate reactions to his week in Paris at the JEC Europe 2013 composites trade show.

TenCate's acquisition of Amber Composites a sensible surprise

TenCate, known for years as a thermoplastics specialist, is signaling more and more that it wants to move into new markets with new materials.

Redesigning for simplicity and economy

Military OEM makes the switch from sandwich construction to compression molding to optimize composite aerospace part.

SAMPE 2011 Long Beach Product Showcase

Huge show, huge new product offerings … huge success.

Carbon fiber/PEEK takes hydraulic pump to new depths

A switch from metal to composites reduces weight, minimizes part deflection in ultradeep ocean installations.

Thermoplastic composites: Primary structure?

Yes, advanced forms are in development, but has the technology progressed enough to make the business case?

Marquez innovates aircraft TPCs

Marquez (Montréal, Québec, Canada) supplies TPC ducting for The Boeing Co.’s 787 Personal System Unit (PSU), and the TPC structural window bezel used on all Bombardier (Montréal, Canada) Global Express business aircraft.

JEC Paris 2011 highlights

The news from this annual Parisian in-gathering of composites professionals is heavily weighted toward automotive lightweighting.

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.

Thermoformable thermoplastic composites

Thermoplastic composites that can be shaped into finished parts via thermoforming are proliferating as the thermoforming process gains traction, particularly in aerospace manufacturing. The following short article and chart provide some guidance in terms of sourcing.

SAMPE 2010 Seattle Showcase

SAMPE’s first-ever foray into Boeing Country wrapped up with the M&P organization’s biggest draw this decade.

Aerospace-grade compression molding

Continuous Compression Molding process produces structures 30 percent lighter than aluminum at costs that have both Airbus and Boeing sold.

2010 SAMPE Europe/JEC Paris Showcase

Record crowds and reignited technological development testified to the composite industry’s renewed health and the recent recession’s demise.

JEC Composites Show 2010 Highlights

Despite the volcanic ash that clouded air travel, an eruption of new technology and new business did much to dispel the clouds of economic recession.

Orion re-entry system: Composites displace metal

World’s largest heat shield updates metal design with out-of-autoclave process.

Fuselage skins redesign streamlines production

Cirrus Aircraft’s SR22 second-generation design improves functionality and enables faster processing.

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.

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.

SAMPE 2009 Product Showcase

Showgoers at the SAMPE 2009 Conference and Exhibiton in Baltimore, Md. found many suppliers undeterred by poor economic news.

JEC Composites 2009 showcase

Despite the doleful state of the global economy, the turnout in Paris — exhibitors and visitors — proved surprisingly strong.

SAMPE Europe/JEC highlights

The global economy might be on the wane, but there was little evidence of it at the annual SAMPE Europe conference and nearby JEC Composites Show in Paris.

Thermoplastic composites: Inside story

Reinforced thermoplastics buy their way into structural aircraft interior components.

Low-cost methods realize high-concept Superbus

Multifunctional mass-transport vehicle concept takes shape via resin-infused carbon/epoxy and vacuum-formed glass-reinforced thermoplastic sandwich construction.

Wind Blade Manufacturing: Are thermoplastic composites the future?

In a market dominated by thermoset composites, some wind turbine blade manufacturers are actively pursuing new composite blade designs featuring faster-processing reinforced thermoplastics.

Shared composite material property databases

For more than a decade, NASA, FAA, industry and academia have been working toward the goal of creating a centralized composite material property database similar to that for metals. Their efforts, while productive, have not come with the war-like strength that the standardization of metals did. The composites industry is guided by Composite Materials Handbook 17 or CMH-17 (formerly known as MIL-HDBK-17).

Blended Wing UAV

Unique unmanned craft's robust composite design a plus for rough duty.

Market Trends: The Composites Affordability Initiative, Part I

The Air Force Research Laboratory's Dr. John Russell outlines the U.S. Department of Defense Composites Affordability Initiative. Part I of a two-part series.

Autoclave Quality Outside The Autoclave?

Pioneers of out-of-autoclave processing in aerospace applications answer a qualified but enthusiastic Yes!

An update on composite tanks for cryogens

More automation, improved materials bring composite fuel tanks for space applications closer to reality.

Designing for dimensional stability in space

The accuracy of orbiting instruments depends on skillfully designed and manufactured composite components.

SITE Manufacturing

SITE Manufacturing (Redding, Calif.) has taken knowledge acquired during more than 23 years of producing hi-tech carbon composite components, such as telescope housings (for Celestron, see story on p. 20), and applied it to the sport of paintball. "One year around Christmas, we decided we wanted to do something else,"

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