Thermoplastics
New MIL antiballistics standard
New military specifications for unidirectional thermoplastic laminates used in antiballistics applications are circulating in draft form for comments and should be completed by year’s end.
Read MoreHybrid Enhanced Combat Helmet enters final testing phase
The U.S. Army and Marine Corps are conducting final validation testing of the U.S. military’s next-generation — and radically new — thermoplastic composite Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH).
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Lightweighting a heavyweight
Process combination produces significantly lighter overhead storage bins for big-rig sleeper cabs.
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Thermoformable thermoplastic composites
Thermoplastic composites that can be shaped into finished parts via thermoforming are proliferating as the thermoforming process gains traction, particularly in aerospace manufacturing. The following short article and chart provide some guidance in terms of sourcing.
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Aerospace-grade compression molding
Continuous Compression Molding process produces structures 30 percent lighter than aluminum at costs that have both Airbus and Boeing sold.
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WPC weathering: Accelerated testing confirms prediction
Aspen Research Corp. (White Bear Lake, Minn.) evaluated a Korean manufacturer’s WPC deck board with the aid of xenon arc accelerated weathering chambers supplied by ATLAS Material Testing Solutions (Chicago, Ill.).
Read MoreWind foam sources: PET, SAN & PVC
That polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam is the core material of the future appears to be an open secret within the composites industry.
Read MoreRigid polyurethane foam primer
In this sidebar to CT's feature story entitled "Structural polyurethanes: Bearing bigger loads," the author defines the differences between the two major types of polyurethane foam.
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Seaworthy showcase: Post-consumer composite catamaran nears completion
Built entirely of recycled and recyclable reinforced thermoplastics, this novel sailing vessel will soon put into practice what its builders preach.
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UBSs: Coming to North America
Common in Europe and Asia, the composite underbody shield might finally catch on in the U.S. and Canada.
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