Automotive
New technologies from REFORM project may reduce costs of composites
The project focused on improving the environmental performance of composite components along the lifecycle from production to disposal.
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Honda’s Clarity Fuel Cell sedan features hybrid-molded rear bumper beam
The rear bumper beam is made of the Tepex composites material from the Lanxess subsidiary Bond-Laminates.
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Thermoplastics riding into automotive, aerospace
The legacy of composite parts and structures is built on a family of thermosets — including epoxy, vinyl ester, polyester and phenolic — that have helped tremendously to make the industry what it is today. Not to be forgotten are thermoplastics, which have played a serious role as well, and offer advantages that promise to make this material type one of the fastest growing over the next decade.
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IAC debuts FiberFrame on 2017 Mercedes-Benz
Germany-based International Automotive Components (IAC) has launched its ultra lightweight FiberFrame natural fiber sun roof frame on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
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Structural adhesives, Part I: Industrial
Today’s myriad chemistry options enable formulators to tailor adhesives to customers' exact application requirements.
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Selective reinforcements boost “commodity” composite properties
Strategically placed advanced reinforcements reduce weight, cost while dramatically increasing mechanical performance and dimensional stability.
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Gardner Business Index at 50.8 in February
New orders, production and future business expectations go up as small- and medium-sized fabricators see welcome expansion.
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Notched testing of composites
Open-hole test methods were developed in the early 1980s to compare toughness increases in new composite materials.
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Can we make recycled carbon fiber “sexy”?
Although we have methods to create useful product forms from recovered fiber, creating demand for those products will require new entrepreneurial effort.
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The composites super cycle — are we still living the dream?
Predicted before the 2008 recessionary crash, the super cycle’s foundations were to be built on an increasing use of composites in aircraft. How did it play out?
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