Wind/Energy

Wind/Energy

WINDPOWER 2012 report

Continued technology-driven performance gains are overshadowed by PTC gloom and predicted Asian overcapacity.

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Thermoplastics

The evolution of infusion

As resin infusion continues to infiltrate composites, fabricators across the market spectrum drive materials and process developments in pursuit of process control.

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Carbon Fibers

The first commercial Type V composite pressure vessel

Composites Technology Development's first commercial tank in the Type V category presages growth of filament winding in storage of compressed gases.

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Pressure vessel tank types

Pressure vessels have been classified in four categories, based on their construction. Each type has assets and liabilities.

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Wind/Energy

Competition for carbon fiber in longer blades

Although the use of carbon fiber is increasign in wind turbine blades, high-strength S-glass and basalt fibers, new resins and improved blade designs are also providing blade designers the means to limit blade weight gain as they increase blade swept area.

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Out of Autoclave

Wind turbine blades: Glass vs. carbon fiber

As the wind energy market continues to grow, competition heats up between glass and carbon fiber composites for turbine blades.

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Sustainability

Growth opportunities: Materials innovation will drive composites usage to new heights

Dr. Sanjay Mazumdar of Lucintel (Dallas, Texas) predicts double-digit growth for the composites market in the next five years.

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Automotive

2012 JEC Europe Highlights

JEC’s annual Paris exhibition reports impressive attendance figures as exhibitors tout big news.

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Ply placement: Largest laser projection system for wind blade manufacture

Following the recent installation of a 16-projector system for an aircraft fuselage application, Assembly Guidance Systems Inc. (Chelmsford, Mass.) recently delivered what it says is the largest unified laser-projection system of its kind, for wind turbine blade fabrication.

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Wind/Energy

Twisting in the Wind

CT editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan surveys the potential negative effects on the composites industry of the battles in the U.S. Congress over over renewal of the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy technologies — and the resulting uncertainty in the wind energy market.

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