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Composites

Singapore researchers have invented a flexible, lightweight, impact-resistant composite material based on the same principles of how a cornstarch solution hardens on impact.
A mechanically stitchbonded reinforcement fabric consisting of a needlebonded core sandwiched between chopped glass fibres, called Polymat Free-Flow, will be launched by Scott & Fyfe at Composites
Nanofibres fused to microfibres are proposed as an improved reinforcement for composites in International Patent Publication WO 2009/018104.
A flexible composite that is resistant to ballistic projectiles and has a good resistance to the pick-up of liquids (including water) is the subject of International Patent Publication WO 2007/097780.

A state-of-the-art plant for manufacturing carbon fibre for use in BMW's electric-powered cars is to be built in Moses Lake, Washington, USA.

Wrapping brittle core multifilamentary yarns in another material before coating them with an adhesive that remains tacky over time allows them to be spooled, stored indefinitely and then processed in
Zyvex Performance Materials has unveiled an ultralightweight composite boat called the Piranha.
Synthesizing carbon nanotubes directly on a parent fibre creates an improved reinforcement for composites, according to researchers at Lockheed Martin Corp of Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
A reinforcing mat with its fibres secured by continuous filaments knitted through the structure and subsequently thermally fused to one another is proposed in US Patent 2005/0197025.
A high-performance polypropylene (PP) fibre has been found to improve the toughness and durability of carbon fibre-reinforced composites (CFCs) used in motorsport, at the same time as reducing their w
Polyester multifilaments that disperse homogeneously in a matrix resin to provide improved reinforcement are the subject of International Patent Publication WO 2008/056645.
Alliant Techsystems has selected TenCate Advanced Composites USA as a supplier of composite prepreg material for the manufacture of composite rotor tubes to be used in USEC Inc's American Centrifuge P
Owens Corning is expanding its capacity to produce technical fabrics at manufacturing facilities in Chanzhou and Doudian, China; and Taloja, India.
Korean scientists say that exposing carbon fibres to electromagnetic radiation modifies their surfaces simply and quickly, so improving their bonding to polymer matrices in composites.
The annual JEC Composites exhbition took place in Paris, France on the 24-26 March.
The first generation of high-performance composites made from completely biodegradable natural fibrereinforced plastics has been produced by a UK-based consortium.
The 2008 JEC Composites exhibition in Paris was an opportunity for technical textiles manufacturers to demonstrate the essential role they can play in an industry based on alternatives to metal.
A sheet of carbon fibre composite suitable for thermal conduction and/or shielding radio waves is the subject of European PatentApplication EP 1 876 276.
Toray Industries has developed an oil agent for precursors that is the heart of an efficient process, the Japanese company claims, for producing uniform, high quality carbon fibres.
Belgian research association Centexbel is working on the optimization of an organic material composite intended to promote bone reconstruction.
A novel approach to making polymer matrix composites reinforced with ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin fibres is the result of the work of a group of Israeli researchers.
Hexcel Corp of Pleasanton, California,USA,has developed a prepreg with resistance to core crushing that is designed for making fibre-reinforced panel structures.
A Dutch organization claims to have found a way to make dense carbon nanofibre composites.
Composites containing cellulosic pulp that enjoy both improved fibre dispersion and lower discolouration are the focus of US Patent 6 743 507.
A fibrous material for incorporation into an absorbent article, such as a diaper, pant diaper, incontinence guard, sanitary napkin or wound dressing, is outlined in US Patent 6 888 945 by SCA Hygiene
A process for forming an absorbent fibrous web composite is disclosed in US Patent 6 872 275 by Kimberly-Clark.
The production of thick textile armatures made of superimposed layers of threads secured by a binding thread traversing the layers is the subject of US Patent 6 843 280.
Composites for storm protection are the focus of work by DuPont that is described in International Patent WO 03/033252.
Finland's Ahlstrom Glassfibre Oy has invented a system for making chopped strand glass fibre mats.
Menzolit-Fibron GmbH of Bretten,Germany, discloses a system of making fibre-reinforced materials in US Patent 6 838 148.
A US company has invented a system for creating a composite in which a glass fibre mat is impregnated with a thermoplastic polyurethane.
US Patent 6 749 921 discloses a wood reinforced with a fibre-reinforced thermoplastic, adding that the resin used offers a number of advantages in this application when compared with existing composit
US weaver Bally Ribbon Mills has developed three-dimensional (3D) woven fabrics intended for use in composites, as well as a loom for making them on.
Fabrics containing active yarns, such as shape-memory fibres or those made from electro-active polymers, that are intended for reinforcing composites are the subject of European Patent EP 1 420 094.
US-based PPG Industries has introduced a binder-free, continuous strand glass fibre mat that it says can be used to make pultruded parts that are strong in tension.
A novel process that produces thermoplastic granules reinforced with natural fibres has been developed by Agrotechnology & Food Innovations BV of The Netherlands.
GE Advanced Materials, The Netherlands, has adapted a papermaking process in order to produce a long thermoplastic resin reinforced with glass fibre.
Production of three-dimensional fabrics to serve as reinforcements in preforms is the subject of International Patent 02/103098.
A process for making hybrid boron-reinforced polymer matrix composites is the subject of US Patent 6 514 170.
An elastically stretchable composite sheet for use in disposable articles, such as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence products or surgical gowns, has been developed by Unicharm of Tokyo, Japan.
US Patent 6 475 320 reports a development in composite design from Japan: a method of fabricating a composite wing based on superposed textiles placed on mandrels and processed in a closed jig.
International Patent WO 02/052086 describes aerogel composites reinforced by lofty fibrous batting in combination with one or both of short randomly oriented microfibres and conductive layers.
Canadian researchers have patented a method of making structural composite members based on hemp.
A US company has developed an improved technique for ultrasonically joining layers or plies of a fibre-reinforced thermosetting matrix.
An energy-absorbent composite laminate for mechanical joints is the invention of Canadas Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics.
US researchers have devised a lightweight and impact-resistant composite consisting of a three-dimensional (3D) textile construction made from at least three systems of yarns.
A combination of plasma treatment and microwave radiation creates an undulating surface on fibres that improves their mechanical interlocking in resin matrices and so enhances the strength and interfa
Recycling of textile waste is the basis for an invention by Georgia Composites.
The American Army has invented, US Patent 6 406 660, a system for making polymer matrix composites that have a low volume percentage of reinforcement fibres and carefully controlled thicknesses.
A Swiss company has developed a way to reinforce thermoplastic bands by using pressure impregnation of a fibre strand.
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