Composites

In response to the increasing impact of the human coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the global manufacturing sector, US companies Woodward and Hexcel Corp have agreed to cancel their plans to merg

The European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA) of Brussels, Belgium, has added data for glass fibres to its Eco Impact Calculator, an online tool which enables composites companies to calcula

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

Prominent manufacturers, suppliers and users of composites in the UK are working together to develop ventilators for the treatment of patients infected with human coronavirus (COVID-19) in the coun

UK-based companies Oxford Advanced Surfaces (OAS) and 2-DTech Ltd are to work together to develop a range of nanomaterial-modified surface treatments for plastics and composites.

The ability of composite-metal foams (CMFs) to pass simulated-pool-fire tests has been proven by researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU)—meaning that the material could, for instance,

A carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) from Teijin has been selected for use in Panasonic Corp’s newly launched digital video cameras, the HC-X2000 and HC-X1500.

4M Carbon Fiber Corp of Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, says that its atmospheric plasma oxidation technology has been shown to be capable of producing strong carbon fibre three-times faster than is pos

An intumescent nonwoven veil from Technical Fibre Products is being used by Valmont Industries in the manufacture of its composite transmission and distribution poles.

The world’s first re-usable plastic spin-on oil-filter module for cars has been developed by BASF and Hengst.

The role that non-metallic composites can play in the manufacture of nuclear fusion reactors is being explored by the UK’s National Composites Centre (NCC) and Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

A lightweight composite headrest for a child’s car seat that is simple to produce has been developed by a consortium of companies in Germany and Poland.

Composites manufacturers in Germany continue to be dissatisfied with the current business environment there, according to a half-yearly survey conducted by Berlin-based Composites Germany.

A method that could enable the damage that occurs in a composite when its reinforcing fibres fracture to be observed accurately and easily is being developed by researchers at the National Institut

Owing to concerns over the current outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the composites industry’s flagship event, JEC World, is to be postponed until the 12–14 May 2020.

The developer of fibre patch placement (FPP) technology for the automated production of three-dimensional (3D) reinforcement fabrics for the composites industry, Cevotec, is to be represented by Fu

A variety of heat-resistant nonwoven veils for use in composites are to be launched by Technical Fibre Products (TFP) at JEC World.

Montefibre Carbon is to invest €16.2 million to establish a line for the production of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor and construct a carbonisation line at its plant in Miranda de Ebro, Spain.

Gurit has sold its automotive business (Gurit Hungary Kft in Székesfehérvár) to composite-parts manufacturer Carbopress SpA.

A lightweight seatback for a sportscar has been produced from a combination of carbon fibre-reinforced prepreg and wood fibre-reinforced plastic by Hexcel and NaCa Systems.

A quick, cheap and highly productive process for the conversion of a wide variety of carbon sources – including coal, food waste and plastic –  into flakes of graphene is being developed by researc

A company dedicated to the research and development (R&D), testing and sale of composite and multimaterial automotive components is to be established in Wuppertal, Germany, by Teijin.

A tailored fibre placement (TFP) cell has been installed by Carbon ThreeSixty at its facility in Chippenham, UK.

Ahead of JEC World 2020, EconCore has announced that it has licensed its technology for the production of lightweight thermoplastic honeycomb cores to two companies; Low & Bonar and Ko

A highly automated demonstrator production line that enables composite parts to be produced from prepregs in cycle times of three minutes has been unveiled by Solvay of Brussels, Belgium.

Nonwovens made from recycled carbon fibre have been launched by Sigmatex of Runcorn, UK.  

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

Volkswagen (VW)’s first innovation hub in North America is to be opened at the University of Tennessee (UT) Research Park in Knoxville, USA.

Carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) backrests have been developed for Guangzhou Automobile Group Co (GAC) Ltd’s ENO.146 electric concept car by the carmaker’s research and development (R&

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

Hexcel Corp and Woodward Inc have signed a definitive agreement to combine through a merger of equals.

A substantial contract for the high-volume production of carbon fibre-reinforced and glass fibre-reinforced plastic cover plates for battery enclosures has been awarded to SGL Carbon of Wiesbaden,

A range of dry unidirectional (UD) carbon fibre tapes have been developed by Hexcel for use in cross-country racing skis manufactured by Madshus.

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.

An oxidation process being commercialised by LeMond Carbon yields cheaper carbon fibre in higher volumes than is possible using conventional processes, according to the results of a technical audit

Coal-tar pitch is to be transformed into high-value carbon fibre for use in aircraft, automobiles, sporting goods and other high-performance applications through a project funded in part by the US

In preparation for the production of its fully electric iNEXT car, the BMW Group is investing around €400 million in its largest European production plant in Dingolfing, Germany.  

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

Glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) longitudinal leaf springs are being used for the first time by Ford of Dearborn, Michigan, USA.

Ways in which composites could be used to increase the power density, and reduce the size, of the integrated electric drive units (EDUs) for electric vehicles (EVs) are to be investigated by a part

A facility for the research and development (R&D) of manufacturing technologies for use in industries such as aerospace and automotive has been opened by the Welsh government and the University

Lightweight and thin carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) body armour able to protect its wearer from attacks with blunt, edged and pointed weapons has been unveiled by

A by-product from the roasting of coffee beans could soon be used in the manufacture of automotive parts such as headlamp housings.

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.

Over 1.2 t of waste carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) generated by America’s Cup contenders INEOS Team UK has been recycled by ELG Carbon Fibre, which has used the resulting materials to produ

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

Composite electrodes for structural supercapacitors have been developed by researchers at Texas A&M University of College Station, USA.