Aerospace

Pigments produced from bacteria are being used to create radiation-sensitive fabrics that could be capable of preventing skin cancer on Earth and protecting astronauts in space.

Manufacturer of tyres and composites, Michelin, has entered into agreements to purchase two US technical textiles specialists; producer of fire-resistant, three-dimensionally (3D) woven and antibal

A company that specialises in the design, manufacture and repair of bespoke protective covers, acoustic insulation and interior soft fittings for military and civilian aircraft has expanded its pro

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded a contract to Hexoskin to develop and adapt its smart textile-based systems (Astroskin) for monitoring the vital signs of astronauts on Gateway, a space

Rocket Lab USA has started to install a 12-m-tall automated fibre-placement (AFP) machine at its facility in Middle River, Maryland, USA, which it will use for the production of the largest carbon

A prototype composite nose-panel for a helicopter has been developed by Airbus using carbon fibres made from acrylonitrile (ACN) sourced from bio-based feedstocks.

A flame-resistant (FR) fabric is being developed for the production of the undergarments to be worn by astronauts on The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Artemis missions b

An intermediate-modulus (IM) carbon fibre for the reinforcement of composites for aerospace applications has been launched by Hexcel Corp of Stamford, Connecticut, USA.

When astronauts return to the Moon, they will take with them a new generation of spacesuits, currently being developed in Europe to protect their occupants from the harsh conditions of the lunar su

The use of soft materials and textiles, onto which electronics are printed, for the production of protective sleeves for the arms of robots is to be investigated by researchers at the Danish Techno

A composite vertical tail plane (VTP) made using a preform of three-dimensionally (3D) woven and non-crimp fabrics has been delivered by Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) to Aernnova for incorpora

The US Army has awarded a US$4-million contract for the development of composite parts for hypersonic vehicles to Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) of Rochester, New Hampshire, USA. 

An automated system for the production of large composite parts, such as aircraft wings, that can deposit seven times more material an hour than current systems used in the aerospace industry is be

The construction of a prototype aeroengine featuring a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) fan case and fan blades has been completed by Rolls-Royce, of London, UK.

In what they claim to be a first in Europe, researchers at the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol, UK, have manufactured highly heat-resistant ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) using an aut

Hexcel Corp is to work with Spirit AeroSystems Europe at the latter's Aerospace Innovation Centre (AIC) to develop sustainable technologies for the manufacture of future aircraft. 

Heathcoat Fabrics of Tiverton, UK, has been recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its development of a high-performance parachute fabric

Safran Aircraft Engines of Paris, France, and composites manufacturer Albany International Corp of Rochester, New Hampshire, USA, have agreed to extend their partnership – established in 2006 to de

Teijin is to increase production of heat-resistant, carbon fibre-reinforced thermoset prepregs at its subsidiary, Renegade Materials Corp of Miami

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter, which features carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) rotor blades, has now (30 April 2021) completed four test

The development of a database of mechanical properties that could be used to certify the suitability of though-thickness reinforced composite sandwich panels for aerospace applications is proposed

A high-performance textile developed by Heathcoat Fabrics of Tiverton, UK, for the production of parachutes has enabled the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Perseverance ro

A flame-retardant (FR) carpet for aviation applications is the first to be produced using a binder made from recycled material, according to its developers. 

GKN Aerospace has taken ownership of its 10 200-m² (110 000 square feet) Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Bristol, UK, which it will use to develop methods for the high-volume productio

Toray is to supply high-performance carbon fibres to developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Lilium, for the manufacture of composite parts and structures.

Construction work on a facility that will manufacture carbon fibre-reinforced prepregs for the primary structure of Boeing’s 777X wide-body commercial aeroplane has been completed in Al Ain, United

The noise generated by the air flowing over the wing of an aeroplane could be reduced significantly through the use of a skin made from flexible rubber and glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP), ac

A pair of induction-welded thermoplastic composite ruddervators and two compression-moulded access panels made from re-used thermoplastic waste manufactured by GKN Aerospace have been flight-tested

Boeing has resumed production of the 737 MAX at the company’s factory in Renton, Washington, USA.

A low-temperature-curing carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy prepreg (HexPly M79) from Hexcel is to be used by Flight Design for the manufacture of a variety of parts for lightweight aircraft.

Novel methods for the manufacture of composite engine-inlet ducts for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being developed by researchers in Ohio, USA.

SGL Carbon of Wiesbaden, Germany, is to start producing landing skids for air taxis from braided carbon fibre.

A method for eliminating the voids in composites based on the use of films of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), rather than expensive and energy-intensive autoclaves, has been developed by a research team i

A facility dedicated to the development of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) fan blades and fan cases for use on jet engines has been opened in Bristol, UK, by Rolls-Royce.

A facility for the development and manufacture of propeller systems with all-composite blades has been inaugurated in Brockworth, UK, by Dowty Propellers.

SGL Carbon and Solvay have entered into a joint development agreement to bring to market what they claim will be the first composites based on large-tow, intermediate modulus (IM) carbon fibre.

Mikrosam is to deliver equipment for the development and manufacture of reinforced thermoplastic aircraft parts to GKN Fokker.

Pratt & Whitney (P&W) of East Hartford, Connecticut, USA, is to open a facility for the research and development (R&D) of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) for use in aerospace applicati

Two multiaxial glass fibre fabrics from SGL Carbon are being used by Airbus Helicopters to manufacture the five-blade rotor of its H145 helicopter.

As the aerospace industry renews its focus on space travel, there is a growing need for innovation in the area of thermal protective systems (TPSs) says Tex Tech Industries of Portland, Maine, USA.

A material comprising a combination of steel composite metal foam (CMF) and epoxy resin could be a promising alternative to aluminium for the production of the leading edges of wings for aircraft.

Virgin Galactic and Under Armour (UA) have unveiled the spacesuits to be worn by passengers on Virgin's commercial sub-orbital spaceflights.

Teijin Ltd has completed its acquisition of the US supplier of highly heat-resistant thermoset prepreg for the aerospace industry, Renegade Materials Corp of Miamisburg, Ohio.

Following the signing of a year-long contract extension, SGL Carbon is to supply carbon fibre prepregs to Elbe Flugzeugwerke for the manufacture of the Airbus A350 cabin’s floor panels until the en

Two novel, lightweight wing designs have been tested by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR)  as part of a European Union (EU)-funded project.

Hexcel, Progen and Future Aerospace have opened a joint-venture laboratory and materials testing facility in Shanghai, China.

The world's first welded carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) pressure bulkhead for a single-aisle aircraft is being developed by engineers at Premium Aerotec of Augsburg, Germany.

Spirit AeroSystems has disclosed details of the work being undertaken at its facility in Prestwick, UK, on the fabrication and assembly of leading edges, wing boxes and lower wing covers for Airbus

US companies Raytheon Co of Waltham, Massachusetts, and United Technologies Corp of Farmington, Connecticut, are to merge through a transaction that is expected to close in the first half of 2020.

The development of an all-thermoplastic drive-shaft with an integral, overmoulded gear won herone GmbH of Dresden, Germany, an Innovation Award in the Aerospace category at JE