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Composites

The US Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) is working on a project focused on the optimization of vinyl ester resins and fibre sizings for the fabrication of carbon f

Cygnet Texkimp will be launching what it claims to be the world’s first robotic, high-speed, three-dimensional (3D) winding machine capable of making curved composite parts at

Researchers in California, USA, are three-dimensionally (3D) printing aerospace-grade carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRPs)—an achievement they claim is a world first. 

Toho Tenax Europe GmbH (TTE) of Wuppertal, Germany, has developed a compound based on recycled carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK). 

Porcher Industries and Airbus Helicopters have worked together to develop a carbon fibre-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rotor hub—the first of its kind.

Early work from SGL Group’s Lightweight and Application Center (LAC) in Meitlingen, Germany, will be on show at this year’s

A system capable of determining the properties of rovings quickly and efficiently will be launched at JEC World

GE Aviation reports that the amount of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) raw material it will use in 2017 will be approximately 20 times greater than it used in 2007.

A UK-based developer specializing in nonwovens as reinforcements for composites will exhibit several new materials at

Fire-retardant (FR) fabrics for resin-transfer moulding (RTM) processes and a range of 'webbed' carbon fibre reinforcements will be showcased by Metyx Composites at JEC World in Paris, Fra

Revolution Fibres of Auckland, New Zealand, is increasing production of its Xantu.Layr nanofibre veil to meet growing worldwide demand from producers of composites.

The Automotive Division of Quickstep Holdings has secured an Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) grant of Aus$250 000 to develop a low-cost carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bumper for

Textiles technology to unlock the potential of carbon composites

The composites industry appears to be in rude health on the eve of this year’s JEC World, but the use of carbon fibre reinforced plastics in mainstream automotive applications is still not widespread. Textiles technologies will be vital in bringing these materials to the mass market, writes Composites Editor James Bakewell.  

McLaren Automotive is to build a composites technology centre in the UK. 

Demand for fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites in the manufacture of wind turbine components will increase by 5.9% a year to just under 70 kt (152 million pounds) by 2020, according to a rece

Victrex and Tri-Mack Plastics Manufacturing Corp have established a joint venture, TxV Aero Composites, to accelerate the commercial adoption of polyketone composites by the aerospace industry.

Chery and Adesso Advanced Materials, based in Wuhu, China, are teaming up with the UK’s ELG Carbon Fibre to work on new components for the Chery eQ1 electric vehicle.

Additive manufacturing specialist Oxford Performance Materials (OPM) Inc of South Windsor has received further investment from Hexcel Corp of Stamford (both in Connecticut, USA).

Germany moves to build its lead in composites manufacturing

From its industry leaders to its politicians, Germany has grasped the importance of carbon fibre-reinforced composites to the future of manufacturing and is taking steps to secure its position in global markets. Adrian Wilson reports.

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast in the UK are developing simulation tools that will help to improve the safety of aeroplanes and cars being built from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFR

Scott Bader has increased its production capacity for its range of Crestabond primer-less methyl methacrylate (MMA) structural adhesives. 

Key opportunities for nonwovens in the composites industry

Director of Technology at Technical Fibre Products, Nigel Walker, recently outlined the functionalities that can be added to products via the use of specialized materials in multi-layered constructions. Adrian Wilson reports what he had to say. 

Recycled carbon fibre nonwovens to reinforce composites

A collaborative research project in Germany is exploring the possibilities for nonwovens made from recycled carbon fibre as reinforcements for composites. Already the team has developed a novel production process and made unique materials that have potential as heating elements. Claus Lütke explains what the team has learned so far and what they will do next.

Evonik of Essen, Germany, has developed a process that it claims is capable of mass-producing complex moulded composite parts at a reasonable price.

SGL Carbon Fibers Ltd of Muir of Ord, UK, is leading an 18-month research and development (R&D) project to produce affordable lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components for t

A researcher at the University of Twente in the Netherlands has developed an efficient method for bonding parts made from thermoplastic composites to those made from metals. 

A majority of German companies working in the composites industry see the current global economy as positive for their businesses, according to a recent survey carried out by Composites Germany. 

Mitsubishi Rayon Co (MRC) Ltd is to acquire SGL Carbon Fibers LLC from the SGL Group in order to expand its carbon fibre business in North America. 

The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, is working to develop wind turbine blades based on thermoplastic composites. 

Epoxy resin formulator Sicomin has supplied materials to produce both moulds and parts for the 5 gilded domes of the recently inaugurated Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Paris, France. 

Teijin Ltd has completed the acquisition of automotive composite parts producer Continental Structural Plastics Holdings (CSP) Corp for US$825 million.

Solvay of Brussels, Belgium, has agreed to sell its formulated resins business to ALTANA AG’s ELANTAS PDG Inc of St Louis, Missouri, USA. 

By replacing the sizing on carbon fibres with a coating of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), researchers in the UK claim to have improved both the thermal and electrical conductivity of carbon fibre-reinfor

Thermoset resins specialist Hexion Inc of Columbus, Ohio, USA, has announced plans to build a new European technology centre in Kamp-Lintfort, Germany. 

Lehmann&Voss&Co of Pawcatuck, Connecticut, USA, has opened Lehvoss New Material (Kunshan) Co Ltd, a 2500-m² production facility and application technology centre in Kunshan, China.  

Quickstep Holdings of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, has been awarded a contract to manufacture a range of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components for a portable, lightweight X‐ray d

A cost-effective composite façade system for office buildings has been developed by construction company TGM and its partners on the project Indupol, Aliancys, Euroresins, Büfa and Solico. 

The German Federation of Reinforced Plastics (AVK) of Frankfurt has elected a new board.

North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) of Renens, Switzerland, says that its ThinPreg 736LT epoxy prepreg system has now been approved by Lloyd’s Register.  

The University of Nottingham in the UK is to host the Future Composites Manufacturing Hub.

Gurit of Zurich, Switzerland, has acquired Ludwigshafen, Germany-based BASF’s polyethylene terephthalate (PET) structural foam business. 

Fokker of Papendrecht, The Netherlands, is working with Airbus and other partners to develop smart variants of its fibre metal laminates (FMLs), previously branded as Glare.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in the UK claim to have built the world’s first reconfigurable carbon fibre composite robotic machine tool.

The first course to train inspectors in the airline and aircraft manufacturing industries nondestructive inspection techniques (NDI) for solid-laminate composite materials has been developed by the

An epoxy resin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam sandwich panel from Sicomin of Marseille, France, and 3A Composites Core Materials of Sims, Switzerland, has been tested to fire classification

Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH is investing to expand the capacity of its performance foams business at its production site in Darmstadt, Germany. 

Quickstep Holdings of Sydney, New South Wales, is working with Futuris Automotive Group of Melbourne, Victoria (both in Australia), to develop a composite front seat back for automotive manufacture

How will high-performance nonwovens transform your business?

What are high-performance applications for nonwovens and why are they proliferating? From this vast array of opportunities, how can manufacturers choose the right market for their business? Adrian Wilson describes a unique event that will provide the answers.

The development of fibre-based materials for high-performance applications is the goal of the Future Fibres Hub, a research and development (R&D) centre established within Deakin University’s I

Two key contracts between Hexcel Corp and Airbus Group have been amended, with the former expecting these contracts to generate total sales of US$15 billion.

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