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Weekly Newsletter
Beginning next week, the weekly newsletter will be converted to an HTML format. The new format is standardized across all About sites. Although there are several advantages to the new format, it doesn't provide as much content space as the current text-based version.

I am trying to decide how best to adapt the Composites newsletter to the new format, and I would like your opinion. Please vote for the format or formats you prefer. If I get enough responses, the results will most likely determine which format I will use. The options are:

  1. An abbreviated version of the current newsletter, sent by e-mail only. I would select a few news headlines and Forum topics to highlight every week.
  2. An abbreviated version of the current newsletter, with the full version in the current format available online. The e-mail newsletter would have selected headlines and topics and provide a link to the online text version. The online text version would have the full set of headlines and topics for the week (just like you see below).
  3. A twice-weekly e-mail newsletter. The first would have all news headlines; the second would have all Forum topics. Content would s be very similar to the current newsletter, but you would receive two e-mails every week. At the risk of biasing the results, this is my personal preference.
  4. A once-a-week newsletter, alternating between news and Forums. One week you would get all news headlines; the next week you would get all Forum topics.
  5. Other. If you don't like any of the ideas above, check this box and send your suggestions to composite@aboutguide.com
  6. None. If you don't like HTML newsletters and plan to unsubscribe (or at least stop reading the newsletter) I would still like to know. There is a possibility that a plain text e-mail alternative will be available in the future.

Composite Materials Update from About.com
April 9, 2001 - Vol. 3, No. 11

~ IN THE NEWS
~ CAREER CENTER

------------------ Hot Pick ------------------

Newsletter Poll
Next week, the Composites newsletter will switch to an HTML format. That will mean some changes to the content of the newsletter. I would like your opinion on what you would like to see. Please take a moment to answer the poll on the online newsletter page. Thank you.
http://composite.about.com/library/blnewslet.htm

----------------------------------------------

IN THE NEWS
Don't forget to check the new automatic news feed for daily news updates.

  • Metal Powder Rapid Prototyping
  • Self-Assembling Polymer Nanostructures
  • New Composite Material Reverses Snell's Law
  • Environmentally Friendly Ammunition
  • Fiberglass Animals on Display
  • Borden Chemicals and Plastics Fiels for Bankruptcy Protection
  • Alliant Techsystems Names Perri Hite Corporate Secretary
  • New Rubbery Plastics Developed from Inexpensive Feedstock
  • Protective Polymer Coating Cross-links with Ambient Oxygen
  • Symposium on In-Situ Infrared Spectroscopy of Polymers
  • Polymer Surface Modifier Controls Surface Solubility
  • MIT Putting Course Material Online Free of Charge
  • Sandia Releases New Version of Shock Wave Physics Program
  • TieTek Composite Lumber to be Marketed in India
  • Cytec Acquires 3M's Composite Materials Business
  • Biomedical Polymer Turns from Liquid to Gel Instantly
  • Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites Exhibit Unique Properties
  • How Marie Walker Started Fiberset
  • Using Silicone for Conservation
  • Hemp Conspiracy Theory
  • Reverse Brazil Nut Effect
  • Artificial Spider Silk
  • Design Optimization for Crashworthiness
  • Rapid Manufacturing
  • Amphibious Suits Can Be Worn Out of Water
  • Global Hawk Sets UAV Record
  • F-22 Raptor Production Begins
  • Boeing to Develop High-Speed Jet
  • Camouflaged Cell Towers
http://composite.about.com/cs/inthenews/index.htm

CAREER CENTER
Neptco Europe (France) is looking for a pultrusion process engineer in France. Degree or experience in chemistry or plastic processing desired, or extensive experience in pultrusion. Job listing has been re-posted in English.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=287.1

------------------ Reader's Forum ------------------

New Topics:

MATTFITCH has a set of moulds for a catamaran and is looking for an appropriate layup. His basic construction is glass cloth over polyester foam core.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=291.1

TRAVEGAB is looking for material data for a fiberglass cloth and an aramid honeycomb for use in a finite element analysis.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=290.1

When curing polyesters, there is a small layer that remains tacky. PARASYS would like to know how to deal with this, especially when sanding. PETEREMRICH has some recommendations for getting the surface to cure and for alternative materials.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=289.1
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=289.2

SULLIVA5 is looking for 3D mold generating software for CNC or SLA production.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=288.1

CDAVIDL is looking for a supplier of plaster/gypsum clamshell cabinets.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=284.1

RAHULQUEST wants to develop a composite coil spring for automotive applications and is looking for manufacturing suggestions. COMPMAN4 suggests wrapping a thin wire mandrel.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=286.1

INTERPHISH needs to write a report describing how the atomic or molecular structure of carbon-carbon composites affects the macrostructural properties. He is having trouble finding any information, and is looking for pointers to get him started.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=285.1

Continuing Topics:

5315 recommends the DOW MOMENTUM VARTM system for room temp cure with a Tg of approximately 100 C.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=271.4

For cut-resistant tools, COMPMAN4 recommends high wear gel coats from the Advanced Composites Group, high density tooling block materials, or self-healing mat. PETEREMRICH presents a list showing how Stanley knives cut into various materials.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=280.7
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=280.9

5315 provides patent numbers for the SCRIMP system, along with a few details about the licensing issues. He does not think the licensing has been struck down by the courts, but still no definitive answer.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=170.6

COMPMAN4 worked on a project that generated design rules and aids for off shore composite structures. The data applies to long term behavior.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=259.9

PULTRUDER has some recommendations for Design of Experiment references and software. PETEREMRICH has some implementation and text recommendations for DOE using the Taguchi method.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=281.5
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=281.6

COMPMAN4 has some recommendations for butyl tape products, for use in large, reusable vacuum bags.
http://forums.about.com/ab-composite/messages?lgnF=y&msg=266.17

------------------ Coming Soon ------------------

Upcoming articles:

  • Update to the Salary Survey.
  • Software review: ESAComp
  • Book Review: Economic & Financial Analysis for Engineering & Project Management

------------------ Closing ------------------

If you have any questions or comments about the About.com site, or about composite materials in general, you can reach me by e-mail at the address below. Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to others.

Barry Berenberg
Composite Materials
http://composite.about.com
mailto:composite@aboutguide.com

Discuss in my forum

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