Looking at composites through the lens of U.S. history
When you’re a tourist with a background in writing for manufacturing it’s impossible not to notice all of the ways in which composites have resulted in significant milestones in the U.S. — historically and in the present.
Read MoreNews
Business incubator Chemovator invests in Heartland’s natural fiber additives
The Michigan company, producing hemp-based natural fiber materials, is the latest addition to Chemovator’s program supporting early stage startups in the chemical industry.
Read MoreNREL integrates robotics into wind turbine blade production
Research enables successful automation in post-molding manufacturing operations, which could lead to more competitive U.S.-based blade manufacturing.
Read MoreEviation completes conceptual design review of Alice aircraft
The all-electric company moves closer to commercialization, confirming an aircraft configuration that is both certifiable and can streamline manufacturing.
Read MoreProducts
Hexagon Ragasco launches Linktra Smart cylinders in Norway
Fiberglass pressure vessels with IoT provide real-time insight into refilling needs for LPG consumers.
Read MoreHenkel releases digital tool for end-to-end product transparency
Quick and comprehensive carbon footprint reporting for about 58,000 of Henkel’s adhesives, sealants and functional coatings has been certified by TÜV Rheinland.
Read MoreBally Ribbon offers woven materials for critical rigging, tie-down use
Custom-designed 2D and 3D materials made from high-performance fibers meet high-strength and resistance needs.
Read MoreTrending
JEC World 2024 highlights: Thermoplastic composites, CMC and novel processes
CW senior technical editor Ginger Gardiner discusses some of the developments and demonstrators shown at the industry’s largest composites exhibition and conference.
WatchComposites end markets: Pressure vessels (2024)
The market for pressure vessels used to store zero-emission fuels is rapidly growing, with ongoing developments and commercialization of Type 3, 4 and 5 tanks.
WatchCarbon fiber composite pallet revolutionizes freight industry
LOG Point Pallet fuses advanced materials with innovative design and manufacturing to improve supply chains worldwide.
WatchKNOWLEDGE CENTERS
Gain in-depth knowledge in processes, products and technology from industry experts
Features and Articles
VIEW ALLAviation-specific battery system uses advanced composites to address electric, hybrid flight
BOLDair’s composite enclosure, compression structures and thermal runaway management enables high-performance electric energy storage.
Read MoreAutomated robotic NDT enhances capabilities for composites
Kineco Kaman Composites India uses a bespoke Fill Accubot ultrasonic testing system to boost inspection efficiency and productivity.
Read MoreCreating a composite battery insert-stud solution for EV trucks
Bossard worked with an OEM and Tier supplier team to meet tight electrical insulation and packaging tolerances while reducing tooling, molding and assembly costs.
Read MoreJEC World 2024 highlights: Forwarding initiatives surrounding sustainability and mobility
Themes at the forefront of JEC World 2024 included solutions for mobility applications and sustainable materials, technologies and processes for composites manufacturing.
Read MoreLatest Issue
Composites 101
- Composites end markets: Electronics (2024)
- Celebrating 30 years of CompositesWorld, Part 1
- The basics of composite drawing interpretation
- Proper application of semi-permanent mold release systems
- Composites end markets: Aerospace (2023)
- Composites end markets: Automotive (2023)
- The state of recycled carbon fiber
- How to validate 3D-printed composite part performance
- Composites end markets: Industrial (2022)
- How ultrasonic testing can find flaws in composite materials
Industry Experts
Damage tolerance testing of sandwich composites: The sandwich flexure-after-impact (FAI) test
A second new ASTM-standardized test method assesses the damage tolerance of sandwich composites under flexural loading.
Read MoreComposites industry activity meaningfully slowed contraction in March
The GBI: Composites Fabricating still contracted in March, though it landed just one point shy of 50, which could eventually lead it into expansion territory.
Read MoreA return to JEC World
CW editor-in-chief Scott Francis reflects on the ways in which the composites industry has changed and also stayed the same based on observations from this year’s JEC World.
Read MoreVideos/Podcasts
Composites end markets: Batteries and fuel cells (2024)
As the number of battery and fuel cell electric vehicles (EVs) grows, so do the opportunities for composites in battery enclosures and components for fuel cells.
WatchOptimizing robotic winding of composite tanks and pipes
Pioneer in mandrel-based reinforced rubber and composite products, TANIQ offers TaniqWindPro software and robotic winding expertise for composite pressure vessels and more.
WatchForvia moves toward more sustainable automotive composites manufacturing
Automotive technology supplier Forvia shares sustainability goals and recent developments aimed at bio-based and recycled materials and ramping up hydrogen tank production for clean mobility.
WatchEaton developing carbon-reinforced PEKK to replace aluminum in aircraft air ducts
3D printable material will meet ESD, flammability and other requirements to allow for flexible manufacturing of ducts, without tooling needed today.
WatchOptimizing machining for composites: Tool designs, processes and Industry 4.0 systems
Hufschmied moves beyond optimized milling and drilling tools to develop SonicShark inline quality control system and Cutting Edge World cloud platform for optimized tool use and processes.
WatchPlant tour: Sekisui Aerospace, Orange City, Iowa, Renton and Sumner, Wash., U.S.
Veteran composites sites use kaizen and innovation culture to expand thermoplastic serial production, 4.0 digitization and new technology for diversified new markets.
WatchEpisode 44: Andy West, Sonichem
CW interviews Dr. Andy West of Sonichem, about the company’s ultrasonic process for converting biomass into lignin, as well as other biomaterials of interest for composites manufacturing.
ListenEpisode 43: Emphasizing the recycling of wind blades
CW Talks discusses Ford Motor Company’s involvement with the EMPHASIZING project, a UK consortium working to develop a material from recycled glass fiber with mechanical properties superior to virgin glass.
ListenEpisode 42: Jeff Sloan, CompositesWorld
CW publisher and brand V.P. Jeff Sloan discusses the history of CW and the evolution of the composites industry during his time as editor.
ListenEpisode 41: Chase Hogoboom, T.J. Perrotti, Composite Energy Technologies Inc.
Chase Hogoboom (president) and TJ Perrotti (senior Naval architect and chief design engineer), CET Photo Credit: Composite Energy Technologies Inc.
ListenEpisode 40: Sarah Cox, NASA
Sarah Cox, materials engineer at NASA, talks about her experience at NASA working with composites in the space travel space.
ListenEpisode 39: Joe Fox, FX Consulting
Consultant Joe Fox talks about the massive potential for composites use in infrastructure applications and what it will take to turn that potential into reality.
Listen