An aerospace engineering student is having some difficulty defining material orientation in an MSC.Nastran finite element model of a composite laminate. It's probably a simple process, but I don't have ... Read More

The National Composite Center (NCC) has received a US$1 million award from the state of Ohio to develop high-strength, low-mass thermoplastic composites as a replacement for steel in automotive and ... Read More

Talon Composites, manufacturer of Talbor and Boralyn metal matrix composites (MMCs), has entered into a long term agreement with Allied Mechanical. The agreement allows Talon to manufacture its MMCs on ... Read More

A reader on the Forum is looking for a way to qualitatively identify polymers used in Kodak disposable cameras and their packaging. Spectroscopy will give the best answer, but it ... Read More

FMW Composites Systems (Bridgeport, West Virginia, U.S.A.) has received a $5.7 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to build titanium matrix composite parts for the F-16 and F-22. It ... Read More

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to move forward with the creation of a composites Center of Excellence. Despite broad support within Congress, the legislation to create the ... Read More

An Irish company and a German research institute have won an environmental award for the development of a composite hurley stick. Hurling, a hockey-like sport popular in Ireland, uses sticks ... Read More

Spain’s Mibsa Composites is targeting the UK market for its recently expanded phenolic compounds business. It has appointed a local sales representative, added a second line for its compounds about ... Read More

Northwest Composites, a composite manufacturer and supplier to Boeing, has enrolled six employees in a lean manufacturing course as part of an effort to reduce development and production times. As ... Read More

The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) in Wichita, Kansas, U.S.A. is a focal point for aviation research in many areas, including composites. The Wichita Eagle reports that NIAR helps ... Read More

The Australian company CRC-ACS, which specializes in composites research, is developing a structural health monitoring system for composite ship hulls, under contract to the U.S. Office of Naval Research. The ... Read More

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) will design, manufacture, and deliver lightweight composite tailcone structures to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (SAC) for use in U.S. Armed Forces MH/UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Initial production calls for ... Read More

A University of Delaware professor is developing natural composites with resins based on soybean oil and reinforcing materials such as chicken feathers and other bio-materials. One of the first applications ... Read More

Although I haven't posted a Forum update in a while, there have still been some interesting discussions. Two general manufacturing questions ask about a cure cycle for phenolic laminates and ... Read More

A team of researchers led by University of Delaware Prof. Tsu-Wei Chou was recently awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research on carbon nanotubes. The team ... Read More

UK company EPM Technology has won a contract to produce interior automotive trim components for Ford's Premier Automotive Group. The components will be made from carbon fiber composites. The contract ... Read More

Recology, a newly formed company in the UK, has developed a wood-based polymer composite made from post-industrial polypropylene (PP) and sawmill residue. Wood composites have captured almost 10% of the ... Read More

The Ohio Soy Council is showcasing a house that makes extensive use of soy-based products, including plastics (seat cushions, sink basins and carpet backing), lumber joined with soy-based adhesives, and ... Read More