Materials
Tires that never go flat
SciTech Industries and Rapid Composites develop high-volume production tires that use glass fiber/PET composite springs instead of innertubes and compressed air.
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Thermoplastic composites technology: A view from Europe
For this Dutch consortium, bringing the manufacturability of thermoplastic materials to maturity is the goal in concert with OEMs, materials and equipment supplier members.
Read MoreThermoplastic composites: European consortia, galore!
In addition to the Thermoplastic Composites Research Center (TPRC, Enschede, The Netherlands) — see our article focused on TPRC, titled "Thermoplastic composites technology: A view from Europe" under "Editor's Picks, at top right — there are many other European consortia, comprising private industry, university and government entities, which share the goals of exploring composites materials and methods for manufacturing them, including those with thermoplastic matrices. Here's a sampling.
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In-orbit-deployable radar dish
Aramid/PEI delivers flexibility, strength and precision for space-based reflector
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First all-carbon yacht a winner
Vacuum infusion with customized fabrics enables demanding yacht build
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Understanding the influence of fiber orientation on structural analysis of fiber-filled parts
The effect of fiber orientation on material properties is a key way the injection molding process impacts mechanical performance. Doug Kenik and Angie Schrader of the Design, Lifecycle & Simulation product group at Autodesk (Waltham, MA, US) illustrates two ways fiber orientation influences the structural behavior of fiber-filled parts and discuss the need for a bi-directional approach to design and analysis.
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Revisiting some past perspectives
CW columnist and composites-industry consultant Dale Brosius takes a look back at some past "Perspectives & Provocations" columns with an eye to how the perspectives then match up with the realities of today's high-performance composites market.
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SFMOMA façade: Advancing the art of high-rise FRP
The fabrication and installation of 700+ composite panels has a backstory of detailed design and careful quality assurance.
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Prepreg compression molding makes its commercial debut
Ultra-thin, preformed laminate designs enable CFRP decklid manufacture at lower-than-expected mass and at cycle times approaching mass-production speed.
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Out-of-autoclave processing: <1% void content?
Research sheds light on air and air-bubble behavior in OOA aerospace prepregs.
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