Infrastructure
A multitude of markets - 11/1/2007
The overall outlook for the composites industry remains healthy, driven by developments in the commercial aircraft market - the advent of Boeing's 787 and Airbus Industrie's (Toulouse, France) A380, the future arrivals of the Airbus A400M military transport and its mid-sized A350 XWB, and a host of general aviation
Read MoreResin matrices: Thermosets
Unsaturated polyester resins are the most widely used in commercial, mass-production applications, thanks to their ease of handling, good balance of mechanical, electrical and chemical properties and relatively low cost. Typically coupled with glass fiber reinforcements, polyesters adapt well to a range of fabrication
Read MoreRepair considerations
As more composite materials find a place on aircraft, boats, bridges and hundreds of other applications where part replacement is difficult and expensive, OEM engineers are considering the repairability of structural and secondary composite components during the initial design phase. According to a recent report by
Read MoreDow Epoxy Acquires UPPC AG, POLY-CARB and GNS Technologies
Dow says it will continue trying to acquire key businesses like these, particularly in Asia (e.g., India) and it's looking for more assets.
Read MoreReinforced Thermoplastics: LFRT vs. GMT
As the suppliers of long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics and glass-mat thermoplastics battle for market supremacy, the winner is … the composites OEM.
Read MoreSelf-healing Composite Prototyped for NASA
At the recent SAMPE Conference and Exhibition (see “Related Content,” at left) Cornerstone Research Group’s (CRG, Dayton, Ohio) Reflexive composites were touted as a composite system that, according to CRG’s research and development engineer Thomas Margraf and chief engineer Ernie Havens, can detect and heal damage in
Read MoreJEC COMPOSITES 2007 Product Showcase - 7/1/2007
The annual Paris conclave showcases the global expansion of composites.
Read MoreComposites test method globalization and harmonization
In my previous column, I discussed the need for standardization of test methods and the progress that has been made in recent years (see “Related Content,” at left). However, we know from that column, and many preceding it, that when we attempt to determine material properties, there is often more than one
Read MoreJEC Composites 2007 Product Showcase
This year’s Parisian exhibition provides key evidence of the composites industry’s unprecedented breadth and technical sophistication.
Read MoreBonding Technology: Thermosetting Structural Adhesives
A wealth of epoxies, polyurethanes and acrylics speed assembly and cut manufacturing cost in an ever-wider range of composites applications.
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