World growth will slow in 2012, but the question is by how much – IHS Global Insight chief economist Nariman Behravesh releases his Top 10 Economic Predictions for 2012.
23 December 2011
A £25 million centre for innovation in composites design and manufacture officially opens in the UK in late November. CEO Peter Chivers gave Amanda Jacob a tour.
08 November 2011
The use of CFRP has spread to a multitude of new products requiring strength, reduced weight and high performance. CFRP is finding more applications in wind energy, pressure vessels, sports and recreation equipment and in higher-volume automotive parts. Carbon fibre supply currently exceeds demand, bringing down the profitability of carbon fibre manufacturers, which remain optimistic for an upswing in demand. The drive toward out-of-autoclave curing technology and shorter cycle times continues.
18 March 2011
Reinforced Plastics takes a look at what's happening at this year's show, which is being held in Essen, Germany, on 14-16 September.
25 August 2010
New and innovative core materials are adding design freedom, cost efficiency and other desirable qualities to composite sandwich structures, along with high strength, stiffness and optimised weight. Richard Stewart reports on new developments and an expanding range of applications for sandwich composites.
22 June 2010
The increased demand for large-scale composites, especially in aerospace applications, is driving a trend toward lighter-weight, durable composite tooling and away from metal tooling. Richard Stewart reports on innovations in the tooling industry and ways suppliers are helping composites manufacturers meet the new challenges and changing needs of the industry.
27 April 2010
Despite the current lull in demand for carbon fibres from high-volume users, the range of manufacturing applications for carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) continues to expand in the face of new demands for lighter, stronger and higher-performing products. Richard Stewart examines the markets for CFRP composites and how the manufacturers of carbon fibres are riding out the economic storm.
15 January 2010
Following the publication by the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) of its annual statistical report, Reinforced Plastics interviewed leading officers of the organisation in order find out what the future holds for the US composites market and what role the organisation will play in that future.
28 October 2009
Automated production of tanks, pipes, spheres, golf club shafts and other hollow symmetrical structures made of reinforced plastics are a natural fit for the filament winding process. Even non-symmetrical windings such as wind turbine blades and aircraft components are wound using advanced design and control software.
02 June 2009
Prepregs – reinforcing materials pre-impregnated with resin and ready to use to produce composite parts – are growing in popularity among all segments of the composites industry due to their versatility, high fibre content and wide selection. We report on new developments in prepreg technology and applications in which prepreg materials are being used.
21 May 2009
We report on the tremendous potential for growth that carbon fibre represents and the innovative processing techniques and production advances that make the use of these high-performance reinforcements practical for applications in industries which have previously considered them a luxury they could not afford.
29 April 2009
John O’Connor, Director of Product and Market Strategy, VISTAGY, discusses the challenges involved in maximising the potential of composites in aircraft applications.
02 April 2009
George Marsh looks at the high speed composite boats used by law enforcement agencies.
02 April 2009
The types of core materials available for composite sandwich structures and the specific properties and benefits they provide.
25 March 2009
Originally driven by innovation in the aerospace and motorsport sectors, the steady growth of composite prepreg tooling shows no sign of slowing. Andrew Dugmore and Jed Illsley of Amber Composites discuss the manufacture of composite tooling.
01 March 2009
Fernando Castro, Zyvax Europe Sales Manager, explains why mould surface conditioning is a major contribution towards obtaining a flawless part release.
01 March 2009
Robust growth of carbon fibre composites for aerospace and industrial products have suppliers rushing to expand production capacity. Does this mean the carbon fibre supply/demand ratio will balance out, and if so, how soon, and will prices come down? Vicki P. McConnell finds a broad range of answers.
01 July 2008
A £103 million project aims to develop the 'next generation' composite aircraft wing and to establish the UK as a centre of excellence for wing design and manufacture.
05 June 2008
The European Parliament has adopted the proposals for the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals. We look at what is now required to comply with REACH. Mark Holmes reports.
25 April 2008
The first comprehensive study into long-term styrene exposure of personnel working in the composites industry has been carried out in Europe. Ab Kasper of Quantor BV, and Joost G.M. van Rooij, from Industox Consult, present the findings.
25 April 2008