Infrastructure
Structural adhesives, Part II: Aerospace
Tried-and-true legacy epoxies are a must for aerospace composites, but usage is increasing with improved forms.
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Huntsman, Acciona collaborate on all-composite lighthouse
The first-ever all-composite lighthouse is now installed at the port of Valencia in Spain.
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Taking the hand out of hand layup
Hand layup has a long history in aerospace composites fabrication, but it's not well suited for automotive composites manufacturing, where volumes are much higher. But the discrete placement of fiber reinforcements still has value. Research is pointing toward automated hand layup that might help this process bridge the aerospace-to-automotive divide.
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Composites recycling becomes a necessity
Boeing and Airbus each is generating as much as a 1 million lb of cured and uncured carbon fiber prepreg waste each year from 787 and A350 XWB production. If you include the entire supply chain for these planes, the total is closer to 4 million lb/year. And with the automotive industry poised to consume (and waste) more carbon fiber than ever, recycling of composite materials has become an absolute necessity. The technology is there, but the markets are not. Yet.
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Composites help to repair earthquake-damaged bridges
Utah researchers designed a new repair process that involves carbon fiber-reinforced polymer “donuts” to fix damaged bridges quickly.
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CIBOR advances aerospace materials in medical applications
CFRP in surgical instruments and orthopedic implants gets assistance from Wichita R&D center.
Read MoreSAMPE Europe Summit 2016
SAMPE Europe held its one-day Summit Paris 2016 event at the Hotel Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower on March 7. CW’s technical editor Sara Black was in attendance and noted the following standout presentations.
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In defense of glass fiber
Given the hype around carbon fiber, CW columnist Dale Brosius says it's easy to overlook the importance and future of glass fiber.
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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?
Read MoreDamage-propagation-resistant FRP: From bridge deck to canal lock
New work in application of composites in bridges and bridge decks.
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