CW Features
Composites end markets: Electronics (2025)
Electronic and smart device innovations achieved through the use of advanced materials ranging from thermoplastic composites to biomaterials emphasize high-volume production and sustainability.
Scott Francis
Editor-In-Chief, Gardner Business Media
Composites end markets: Sports and recreation (2025)
The use of composite materials in high-performance sporting goods continues to grow, with new advancements including thermoplastic and sustainability-focused materials and automated processes.
Read MoreComposite pressure vessels enable future energy storage
Q&A between Hexagon Purus, Infinite Composites and Hyosung USA delves into the future of H2 storage, including scalability and production goals, materials and application trends and other dynamics.
Read MoreTrends fueling the composites recycling movement
Various recycling methods are being considered for composites, from novel dismantling and processing, to building capacity and demonstrating secondary use applications.
Read MoreJEC Group looks ahead to JEC World 2025
JEC World will celebrate its 60th year as the premier international trade show for the global composites industry. CW interviews JEC CEO Eric Pierrejean to get a preview of what's in store for the event’s 2025 installment.
Read MoreBiomaterials make strides toward composites sustainability
A compilation of trends in development or application of natural fibers, bio-based resins and more showcases industry players, educational institutes and global projects.
Read MoreSMC composites progress BinC solar electric vehicles
In an interview with one of Aptera’s co-founders, CW sheds light on the inspiration behind the crowd-funded solar electric vehicle, its body in carbon (BinC) and how composite materials are playing a role in its design.
Read MoreComposites end markets: New space (2025)
Composite materials — with their unmatched strength-to-weight ratio, durability in extreme environments and design versatility — are at the heart of innovations in satellites, propulsion systems and lunar exploration vehicles, propelling the space economy toward a $1.8 trillion future.
Scott Francis
Editor-In-Chief, Gardner Business Media
Industrializing additive manufacturing in the defense/aerospace sector
GA-ASI demonstrates a path forward for the use of additive technologies for composite tooling, flight-qualified parts.
Read MoreLife cycle assessment in the composites industry
As companies strive to meet zero-emissions goals, evaluating a product’s carbon footprint is vital. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is one tool composites industry OEMs and Tier suppliers are using to move toward sustainability targets.
Read MoreThe future of quartz and oxide fibers at Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramic Composites
New business builds on 100-year legacy in quartz, prepares for growth, while starting production of oxide fibers to meet increased demand for CMC by aerospace and industrial sectors.
Read MoreEuropean boatbuilders lead quest to build recyclable composite boats
Marine industry constituents are looking to take composite use one step further with the production of tough and recyclable recreational boats. Some are using new infusible thermoplastic resins.
Read MoreBio-based, fire-resistant composites become mainstream
Projects use Duplicor prepreg panels with highest Euroclass B fire performance without fire retardants for reduced weight, CO2 footprint in sustainable yet affordable roofs, high-rise façades and modular housing.
Read MoreThe next evolution in AFP
Automated fiber placement develops into more compact, flexible, modular and digitized systems with multi-material and process capabilities.
Read MoreThe pursuit of energy efficiency in composites manufacturing
In an increasingly energy-driven world, technology developments are being sought after to reduce energy consumption in composites manufacturing, further translating into waste reduction and other efficiencies.
Grace Nehls
Senior Managing Editor, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ and Products Finishing
RTM, dry braided fabric enable faster, cost-effective manufacture for hydrokinetic turbine components
Switching from prepreg to RTM led to significant time and cost savings for the manufacture of fiberglass struts and complex carbon fiber composite foils that power ORPC’s RivGen systems.
Read MoreIncreased molding productivity via additive manufacturing
Companies in multiple segments turn to 3D printing for end-of-arm tools, fixtures for increased safety and functionality, lower cost and faster turnaround times.
Read MoreCW Top Shops 2023: Honoring global top-performing facilities
CW congratulates the 2023 CW Top Shops honorees and composites fabricators whose leaders cite team expansion, focus on Industry 4.0 and adaptation to emerging markets among this year’s top achievements.
Read MoreCelebrating 30 years of ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ, Part 2
CW covers key composite developments that have taken place from the 1990s to today in the second part of this two-part retrospective.
Read MoreA new era for ceramic matrix composites
CMC is expanding, with new fiber production in Europe, faster processes and higher temperature materials enabling applications for industry, hypersonics and New Space.
Read MoreComposites manufacturing for general aviation aircraft
General aviation, certified and experimental, has increasingly embraced composites over the decades, a path further driven by leveraged innovation in materials and processes and the evolving AAM market.
Read MoreAssembling the Multifunctional Fuselage Demonstrator: The final welds
Building the all-thermoplastic composite fuselage demonstrator comes to an end with continuous ultrasonic welding of the RH longitudinal fuselage joint and resistance welding for coupling of the fuselage frames across the upper and lower halves.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ
Automotive chassis components lighten up with composites
Composite and hybrid components reduce mass, increase functionality on electric and conventional passenger vehicles.
Read MoreNatural fiber composites: Growing to fit sustainability needs
Led by global and industry-wide sustainability goals, commercial interest in flax and hemp fiber-reinforced composites grows into higher-performance, higher-volume applications.
Read MoreMetal AM advances in composite tooling, Part 2
Toolmakers and molders continue to realize the benefits of additive versus conventional/subtractive manufacturing of molds and mold components.
Read MoreComposites end markets: Aerospace (2023)
With COVID in the past and passengers flying again, commercial aircraft production is ramping up. The aerocomposites supply chain is busy developing new M&P for an approaching next-generation aircraft program.
Read MoreDrawing design cues from nature: Designing for biomimetic composites, Part 2
As biomimetic design continues to inform composites manufacturing, technologies like 3D printing, tailored fiber placement, braiding and filament winding prove strong candidates for making these structures a reality.
Read MoreThe state of recycled carbon fiber
As the need for carbon fiber rises, can recycling fill the gap?
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