Trends in Composites Manufacturing
CIRA qualifies CMC structures for the reusable Space Rider
Italian team designs, builds and tests multiple large, complex thermal protection system structures made from patented ISiComp C/C-SiC ceramic matrix composites.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ
ESA Project SHIELD advances reusable spacecraft
Four category focuses were announced, including one focused on durable, modular and cost‑efficient TPS to be contributed to by Arceon composites.
Read MoreFACC agreements with Rolls-Royce, Tata and Kineco expand its global backlog, footprint in India
The composites aerostructures supplier extends supply contract with Rolls-Royce and establishes new cooperations with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. and Kineco Aerospace in India.
Read MoreOceanbird wing sails to demonstrate wind-based marine propulsion
Part of project Orcelle Horizon, the composites-intensive, 560-square-meter structure will undergo ground-based testing before installation on a demonstrator shipping vessel.
Read MoreRecyclable thermoplastic composite foils proven in multiple races, >1,500 miles
The MiniLab innovation program completes third race in 2025, showing good performance and no weaknesses in TPC foils as it examines in situ data and continues lab testing.
Read MoreNCC receives investment to support next-gen composite wing
The NCC was awarded a £15.8 million U.K. government grant for HRMCap to de-risk, accelerate innovation in high-rate large aerocomposites structure manufacturing.
Read MoreWhat you might have missed at Paris Air Show 2025
A surge in defense spending, partnerships in hydrogen propulsion and new combat aircraft agreements, many backed by composites industry leaders, culminated the 55th Paris Air Show.
Read MoreFIDAMC expands composites R&D into new markets and advanced manufacturing centers
Pioneering technocenter advances RTM, thermoplastic composites, additive manufacturing, microwire, novel lighter weight LSP and more.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ
Bcomp natural fiber composites to be used in future BMW Group production cars
Bcomp partners with BMW Group to integrate high-performance natural fiber materials into series production models, reducing CO2 emissions for exterior and interior car parts.
Read MoreCygnet, Viritech recover H2 tank continuous carbon fibers in Ford FCVGen2.0 project
Partner technologies have demonstrated the viability of recycled continuous fibers and the potential for automotive tanks to be recycled at meaningful rates.
Read MoreEpsilon Composite, Toray Carbon Fibers Europe target composites in electrical infrastructure
A 15-year partnership collaborating on carbon fiber core conductors has culminated in numerous global projects like modernizing TenneT’s 400-kilovolt high-voltage grid.
Read MoreComposite Recycling, Owens Corning form recycling strategy
Collaboration will develop and refine methodologies for incorporating reclaimed composites waste into Owens Corning’s existing glass fiber production streams.
Read MoreToray, Daher and Tarmac Aerosave announce End-of-Life Aircraft Recycling Program
Collaborative initiative aims to reuse secondary structural TPC parts from EOL Airbus A380 aircraft and repurpose them for other aeronautical applications in order to collectively advance TPC recycling technologies.
Read MoreNorthrop Grumman Series D investment advances MLV Eclipse co-developed with Firefly
A $50 million investment further supports Eclipse, a platform built upon the success of Firefly’s carbon fiber Alpha and Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket with a leap in power, performance and payload capacity.
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Paris Air Show 2023 highlights
The Paris Air Show, one of the largest aerospace trade shows in the world, returned for the first time since 2019 and proved that the global aviation industry industry is very much alive and kicking.
Jeff Sloan
Brand Vice President, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ & Plastics Technology, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ
Flyber launches U.K. composites manufacturing site for advanced mobility applications
The startup’s design automation and composite material layup and curing technologies target lightweighting for aerospace, UAVs, eVTOL and high-performance mobility platforms.
Read MoreTech-Fab Europe publishes LCA study on glass fiber fabrics
The association’s study reveals the benefits of strengthening European supply chain for glass fiber fabrics to help decarbonize in line with EU net-zero targets.
Read MoreDamen, CEAD explore composite 3D printing potential via HDPE Workboat project
Dutch innovators collaborate to investigate large-format 3D printing for functional shipbuilding at the recently opened Maritime Application Center.
Read MoreWPS OCMC extend service life of petrochemical burner lances
Monolithic ceramics combined with oxide ceramic matrix composites (OCMC) overcome challenges with traditional metal components used in petrochemical crackers, achieving three times longer operational lifespan.
Read MoreSyensqo composites demonstrate titanium replacement on Boeing MQ-25 Stingray
Validation of integrating Cycom 5250-4HT prepreg into the UAV’s exhaust nozzle structure underpins the material system’s use in other high-temperature aerospace applications.
Read MoreAustralia’s Gilmour Space prepares Eris 1 rocket for maiden launch
With airspace arrangements finalized and mandatory notice given to the Australian Space Agency, the company is preparing for liftoff no earlier than May 15.
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Microwave heating for more sustainable carbon fiber
Skeptics say it won’t work — Osaka-based Microwave Chemical Co. says it already has — and continues to advance its simulation-based technology to slash energy use and emissions in manufacturing.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ
Porsche develops TABASKO method for lightweight vehicle series production
Patented carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene tape-based process supports cost reduction, light weight and thinner walls without sacrificing rigidity.
Read MoreGenerative Orthoses project to reshape orthopedic care
CRP Technology, MHOX and Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, one of the winners of the WORTH Partnership Project II, have developed bespoke orthoses using generative design, Windform GT fiberglass materials and PBF.
Read MoreRWC delivers composite frac plugs for downhole environments
Filament-wound fiberglass/epoxy frac plug billets, developed as part of a contract with an oilfield service company, address the very demanding performance needs of oil and gas.
Read MoreMaterion metal matrix composites are selected for FLRAA prototypes
Bell Textron is equipping the U.S. Army’s tiltrotor prototype with lightweight materials to further enhance its speed and payload capabilities in operation.
Read MoreFirefly Aerospace to develop CMC rocket engine nozzle extension
Contracted by the AFRL, Firefly will use its expertise to design, build and test a composite-based nozzle extension to reduce costs, improve performance and accelerate rocket engine production.
Read MoreHaddy opens LFAM microfactory in Florida for localized, agile composite parts production
CEAD helped Haddy inaugurate the AI-powered microfactory complete with eight Flexbot robotic systems for end-to-end 3D printing and 16-times production capacity.
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