By special arrangement with Composites Technology and High-Performance Composites magazines and CompositesWorld.com, the following articles are provided as in-depth case histories on innovative new composites technologies in a wide range of industries.
Composites in Infrastructure
FRP Rebar Gains New Strength
Fiber-reinforced plastics are becoming more common as replacements for coated steel in reinforced concrete applications. Originally published in the December 2011 issue of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
Bridge Cost Cut with Inflatable Arches
Stay-in-place composite formwork shortens installation, doubles service life of concrete bridge structure. Originally published in the April 2009 issue of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
New Bridge Deck Bests Early FRP Systems
Mechanically fastened, two-piece composite deck system addresses challenges inherent in previous fiber-reinforced polymer deck designs, lowering cost, speeding installation and reducing maintenance. Originally published in the October 2008 issue of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
Composites in Construction
Inside Manufacturing: Tooling Method Replicates Intricate Woodgrain in Fiberglass Doors
A toolmaker becomes molder to offer the beauty of natural wood and the durability and weatherability of composites to residential entry door OEMs. Originally published in the August 2007 edition of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
Composites in Automotive and Light Trucks
Low-Volume Thermoplastics: Differential Pressure Molding
Cost-effective tooling and presses enable semi-automated prototyping and low-volume production of thermoplastic composites. Originally published in the February 2011 issue of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
Corvette’s Carbon Hood Creates ‘Shock and Awe’
North America’s first mass-produced, all-CFRP hood raises the bar for production sportscars. Originally published in the August 2009 issue of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
ECO Elise Concept: Lean, Speedy & Green
Focus on use of sustainable materials and cleaner manufacturing processes promises future Lotus customers “almost-guilt-free” performance. Originally published in the August 2009 issue of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
Composite Wing Key to High-Speed Stability
First mass-produced CFRP wing helps supercar achieve downforce and lateral acceleration values superior to many GT racing cars. Originally published in the August 2009 issue of High-Performance Composites magazine. Read More.
Truck Bed Lid Covers It All
Tonneau cover manufacturer hits elusive aesthetic and performance targets with molded-in-color thermoplastic capstock and glass/polyester structural laminate. Originally published in the February 2009 issue of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
Composites in Commercial Transportation & Mass Transit
Engineering Insights: Thermoplastic composites: Sustainable transport
A consortium of mostly European companies recently completed the Cleanmould program, a three-year effort to design and produce a composite semitruck trailer. Their goal was to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics of the semitrailer bed without sacrificing stiffness, strength or fatigue properties. They achieved this by using thermoplastic prepreg produced from cyclic PBT oligomer and vacuum-bag processing to produce a Class 8 tri-axle semitrailer in three large sections. Originally published in the June 2011 edition of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
Composites in Wind Energy
Small Wind: Green Energy Gets Greener
Kilowatt-rated vertical-axis wind turbines, featuring recycled and recyclable thermoplastic sandwich panel composite sails, supply green electric power where utility-scale turbines can’t. Originally published in the April 2011 edition of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.
Composites in Packaging & Shipping
Maintaining Fiber Length in Complex 3-D Designs
Award-winning composite pallet showcases new LFT molding process from South Africa. Originally published in the December 2010 edition of Composites Technology magazine. Read More.