Prepregs

Epoxies

Deep draw: Unique laminate architecture enables bus part

For a major mass-transit manufacturer, Amtech LLC (Wapato, Wash.) successfully thermoforms a luggage cover with a remarkably deep draw of 40 inches (1,016 mm), using a laminate architecture that includes a top layer of 0.180-inch/4.5-mm gauge Grade 4800 thermoplastic sheet, supplied by Boltaron (Newcomerstown, Ohio).

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Thermoplastics

TenCate's acquisition of Amber Composites a sensible surprise

TenCate, known for years as a thermoplastics specialist, is signaling more and more that it wants to move into new markets with new materials.

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Prepregs

Automotive SMC: The wheel comes full circle

James Canner (Sterling Engineering & Mfg., Royal Oak, Mich.) explains why it is, once again, an exciting time to be a part of the automotive composites industry.

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Formulation flexibility: Direct-SMC

Consortium applies inline-compounding technology to reinvent sheet molding compound.

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Prepregs

Spare wheel well: Functional integration

Gas-assist injection molding enables one-piece, one-shot thermoplastic composite/metal hybrid.

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SMC sandwich panels: Lean process opens doors

Patented process enables compression molding at lower pressures, saving capital equipment costs for panel fabrication.

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Aerospace

Redesigning for simplicity and economy

Military OEM makes the switch from sandwich construction to compression molding to optimize composite aerospace part.

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Braiding

Airbus A350 Update: BRaF & FPP

EADS Innovation Works pursues qualification of Braided Frames for the A350-1000 fuselage and develops Fiber Patch Preforming for complex local reinforcements.

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Aerospace

2011 International Paris Air Show

At the 49th event, records are set for attendance and aircraft orders, and airframers go on record about composites-related developments.

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Thermoplastics

Thermoplastic composites: Sustainable transport

Cyclic PBT oligomers used to mold Class 8 semitrailer bed via vacuum-bag processing.

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