Carbon Fibers
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.
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The markets: Automotive (2015)
Composites — in particular, those reinforced with carbon fiber — continue to make headway into the automotive world, but suppliers of competing steel and aluminum are fighting back.
Read MoreCarbon Fiber 2014: Will supply meet demand?
ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ’s Carbon Fiber 2014 conference (Dec. 9-11, 2014, in La Jolla, CA, US) had just kicked off as this issue went to press, but the CW staff captured the following highlights from day one of this annual event.
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Benzoxazines for OOA tooling
Can infusible formulations of this newer resin system produce aerospace-capable tools?
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Plant tour: ATK Aerospace Structures, Clearfield, Utah, U.S.
High-volume, high-precision fiber and tape placement for the aerospace industry are among many specialties for this composites manufacturing behemoth.
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Composites in commercial aircraft engines, 2014-2023
The drive to boost aircraft operating efficiency continues to fuel adoption of polymer matrix composites in jet engines.
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Back-country boating: Carbon fiber Adirondack pack canoe
Placid Boatworks (Lake Placid, NY, US) makes modern composite versions of classic, but relatively heavy, Adirondack pack canoes, using vacuum-infused carbon fiber. Here's how.
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Articulated composite booms extend reach of concrete-pumping arms
A 25% weight reduction vs. legacy steel yields economics that justify upfront cost of carbon fiber.
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Dark knights: Sleek trimarans surveil the seas
Epoxy-infused patrol boats outperform less nimble and more costly conventional naval craft.
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Sub-8-minute cycle times on carbon/epoxy prepreg
Globe’s Generation 2 RapidClave system passes another out-of-autoclave milestone.
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