Sustainability
Replication of discontinued additive saves resin requalification costs on missile program
Niche chemical products often become too expensive to manufacture and distribute, particularly when demand is limited and environmental rules tighten. Such was the case with a specialty epoxy diluent trade named Unox 4206, developed by The Dow Chemical Co. (Midland, Mich.) and distributed by H.B. Fuller (St. Paul,
Read MoreComposites: Past, Present Future: Composites evolution the greatest change is yet to come
Composites aren't as new as we think, but they are ever in the process of renewal. Their past predates recorded history when ancient man fulfilled the modern definition of a composite by assembling readily available, easily formed materials: huts made from mud bricks reinforced with straw and boats from bundles of
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Megayacht Composite Masts Get Smart
Freestanding square rigging is fully instrumented for structural health monitoring while under sail.
Read MoreThe Art of Armor Development
Composites are playing a bigger role in antiballistic systems designed to defuse a host of weapons, including improvised explosive devices.
Read MoreLong-Fiber Injection Advances Polyurethane Composites
Single-step molding technology lets fabricators enjoy the high modulus, low emissions and short cure times of thermoset polyurethanes.
Read MoreDecember Editorial
Since last issue, the CT staff and I attended ACMA's COMPOSITES & POLYCON conference in St. Louis (Oct 18-20). The timing was fortuitous for baseball fans: The city's Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers were batting it out for the 2006 World Series championship. AOC threw a party on the 18th, at which the special
Read MoreAdvanced materials for aircraft interiors
Applications aren't as demanding as airframe composites, but requirements are still exacting — passenger safety is key.
Read MoreGlass-Reinforced Thermoplastic Succeeds in Car Crash Structure
Thermoformable, recyclable composite yields production-worthy front-end structure.
Read MoreCarbon fiber composite recycling: An industry perspective
While carbon fibers and the composites made from them have been around for a good many decades, they continue to gain public attention through the marketing efforts of aircraft companies, such as Airbus and Boeing, as well as Formula 1 racing teams and OEMs of high-end consumer goods. Today, most carbon fiber still
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