Composites / Plastics

There is just a little bit of carbon fiber composites in Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. That is, if you think 70,000 lbs of CFRP is considered "a little bit..."

Why are composites used? The answer is fairly simple. It allows for a superior product. Be it higher performance, longer lasting, or resistant to corrosion. The properties of composites are tailor-able to the application...

If you happen to ride a plane, train, or automobile today, chance are a part of that vehicle will be using composite materials.  Meanwhile, if you are riding a high-end bicycle, chances are that is made from composites as well.

LRTM - This is an excellent method for manufacturing large FRP composite parts with low labor, excellent quality, and good surface finish.

Does anyone know a good LTRM B-side mold manufacturer?

Does anyone know if bio-plastics are better for the environment then traditional plastics?

It is my understanding that a major problem with recycling plastics is trying to separate all the different grades and types. If a PLA bio-plastic gets commingled with say, PET plastics, could this lower the quality of the recycled product?

Not just any resin can be used in commercial aerospace composite products. There are strict tests and certifications the resin must meet. Also, the process in which the resin is cured has to follow particular specifications and standards. For example, an epoxy part must have the correct amount of post cure under a precise amount of pressure.

Making composites can be easy, but making commercial aerospace composites is not.

I often get asked what is the shiny, durable, and colorful material on the surface of snowboards and wakeboards. Well, that is a layer of PBT Plastic which is often sublimated with graphics. Their is one company in Europe which provides PBT film to 90% of the ski and snowboard market. Their PBT film has a layer of "fuzz" bonded to one side so you can laminate it to a thermoset.

Access to safe and clean drinking water is a luxury that most of us, myself included, take for granted. There are millions of us who are not so lucky...

Plastics like PVC, and their low costs, have been helping in the delivery and storage of safe drinking water for hundreds of millions across the globe.

Bio-based composites is not a new concept by any means. For example, in this modern day and age one of the best core materials is still a naturally occurring product in nature. That of course is balsa wood. End-grain balsa, a sustainable product, still has some of the best properties out there. In particular, compression strength...

If you work in the aerospace industry, you probably often hear the term FST. Which stands for Fire, Smoke, and Toxicity. Many industries, beyond aerospace, have regulations that require all materials used meet certain FST tests. In many cases, FR resins are the only solution.