News for December 2008

News Archive

Foam-cored sandwich structures in Chinese jet Foam-cored sandwich structures in Chinese jet

The polymethacrylimide (PMI) rigid foam ROHACELL® from Evonik Industries is used as a core material in the winglet and flap vane of China’s first domestically produced regional passenger jet, ARJ21-700 from ACAC Consortium.

Wind dying down?

The global economic turmoil has started having an impact on the wind energy industry in Europe, according to Frost & Sullivan, who say some companies are cutting down forecasts and production for 2009.

Composites break speed record Composites break speed record

Gurit's prepreg, adhesive materials and coating systems assisted the Vestas SailRocket speed sailing craft to become the world’s fastest sailing boat.

FRP tanks for chlorine and caustic soda

Energy Composites Corp (ECC) has delivered and installed a large-bore, vertically-wound fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) tank for a North American manufacturer of chlorine and caustic soda under a deal worth US$2.5 million.

Phenolic prepregs bolster vehicle armour

Advanced Composites Group will supply glass phenolic prepreg materials for a UK Ministry of Defence project bolstering vehicle armour and improving protection for British troops.

Boeing moves first B787 delivery to 2010

Boeing has released an updated schedule for its 787 Dreamliner programme that moves the aircraft's first flight into the second quarter of 2009 and first delivery into the first quarter of 2010. 50% of the B787's primary structure – including the fuselage and wing – will be made of composite materials.

Composite cladding for Mecca clock tower

Premier Composite Technologies has been awarded the contract to build the 35 000 m2 of composite cladding that will be used on the upper 200 m of the Dokkae Tower in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Composite analysis software aids launch vehicle

A partnership to speed up the construction of XCOR’s composite two-seat Lynx suborbital launch vehicle has been announced by XCOR and Firehole Technologies of Laramie, Wyoming, USA.

Umeco adds to its composites business

Umeco Plc, London, UK, has acquired Italian company Industria Plastica Monregalese (IPM) from its private shareholders for €16.8 million. IPM supplies vacuum bagging films for the composites industry and other markets and forms part of Umeco’s strategy to develop a wider global presence in the wind energy market.

ACG's prepregs used in car race world champion

Advanced Composites Group’s (ACG) MTM®57 component prepregs assisted SEAT’s León race cars to victory in the 2008 FIA World Touring Car Champion (WTCC) series.