Feature
Thermoplastic composites welding advances for more sustainable airframes
Multiple demonstrators help various welding technologies approach TRL 6 in the quest for lighter weight, lower cost.
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Mass, cost, durability improvements: EV battery enclosures, Part 2
As interest grows in composite battery covers and trays, composite materials suppliers work to meet current and future needs of automakers, battery module producers.
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Price, performance, protection: EV battery enclosures, Part 1
Composite technologies are growing in use as suppliers continue efforts to meet more demanding requirements for EV battery enclosures.
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Carbon fiber in pressure vessels for hydrogen
The emerging H2 economy drives tank development for aircraft, ships and gas transport.
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Moving toward next-generation wind blade recycling
Suppliers, fabricators and OEMs across the composite wind blade supply chain ramp up existing technologies, develop better reclamation methods and design more recyclable wind blades.
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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.
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Sensors: Data for next-gen composites manufacturing
In the quest for sustainability, sensors are reducing cycle times, energy use and waste, automating closed-loop process control and increasing knowledge to open new possibilities for intelligent manufacturing and structures.
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Laser bondline inspection becomes reality
One of the Holy Grails of composites manufacturing has been reliable verification of adhesive bondline strength integrity. A technology that does just that has arrived.
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2021 CW Top Shops highlights strengths of top composites facilities
CW learned from some of this year’s designated Top Shops about what makes facilities stand out, from diverse capabilities to Industry 4.0 and sustainability.
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Hydrogen is poised to fuel composites growth, Part 2
Potential for Type IV composite tanks in H2 refueling stations and distribution, plus targeted cost reductions and emerging technologies for tank recertification and monitoring.
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