Recently added articles from Advanced Composites Bulletin:

Fire-resistant nonwoven glass tissue.(MATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Owens Corning Inc, USA, has introduced the first nonwoven glass tissue reinforcement for direct pressure laminate flooring (DPL), which raises fire resistance and impact performance to levels that meet commercial standards. While DPL has long been popular in the residential market, the ...

Alkali-resistant rovings help form new material.(MATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Rieder Smart Elements GmbH, Austria, is using an alkali-resistant (AR) roving from Owens Corning Inc, USA, to manufacture a concrete composite material for architectural and construction applications. The concrete material is called fibreC and is made using the Owens Corning ...

Industrial-strength glass grades.(MATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... AGY, USA, has announced the introduction of two glass grades. The first (S-1 Glass) is an industrial grade product, while the second (S-3 Glass) is a special grade product. The grades are part of the company's S-Series and have been developed for high-volume applications, as ...

Three-dimensional truss weave.(MATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Biteam AB, Sweden, has applied three-dimensional (3D) weaving technology to produce the first 3D woven truss structure. The flexibility of the weaving process allows engineering of the trusses directly in both horizontal and vertical directions of a profiled cross-section. The ...

Heat-resistant epoxy for filament winding of glass and graphite.(MATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Master Bond Inc, USA, has developed a polyfunctional, heat-resistant epoxy resin (brand name: EP34CA). The resin is designed for use in composite structures and in potting and casting applications. When used in conjunction with select hardeners, the epoxy produces a low ...

Structural laminate additive reduces cycle time.(MATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Scott & Fyfe Ltd, working with Flemings Textiles Ltd, both UK, has introduced laminates integrated with closed mould structural fabrics (trade name: Polymat Hi-Flow). The material offers significant benefits when used within a structural laminate, such as wind turbine blades, or ...

Resin offers alternative to epoxy.(MATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Henkel Corp's Aerospace group, USA, has introduced a benzoxazine resin system, Epsilon 99100, for use with aerospace applications. The company says that this technology is an effective alternative to epoxies. The material enhances mechanical performance and durability, while ...

Graphene platelets rival nanotubes.(NANOMATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Angstron Materials LLC, USA, claims that it is the first advanced materials company to offer large quantities of single atomic layer thick nano-graphene platelets (NGPs). These carbon-based NGPs are being marketed as cost-effective, high-quality alternatives to nanotubes. The ...

Nanotube-based technology for microelectrical-mechanical systems.(NANOMATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... According to scientists in Taiwan, microcantilever actuators made from carbon nanotube (CNT)-polymer composites could improve the performance of microelectro-mechanical systems. The researchers--from National Tsing Hua University--have developed an easy to actuate material that rapidly ...

Consortium introduces nanocomposite coating.(NANOMATERIALS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... A pan-European consortium has developed a composite coating, based on USA company ApNano Materials' inorganic fullerene (IF) nanoparticles. ApNano Materials' nanoparticles are made of tungsten disulfide, which has a structure of nested spheres. These spheres lubricate mainly by ...

Resins and vacuum-assisted moulding for cheap large parts.(RAILWAY)

Jun 01, 2008 ... DSM Composite Resins BV is supplying resins to NPSP Composieten BV, both The Netherlands, for use in the next generation of high-speed Dutch InterCity trains. NPSP are using the resins in combination with a vacuum-assisted moulding process to make lighter front and rear panels. NPSP's ...

Lightweight combat helmet.(DEFENCE)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Diaphorm Technologies LLC, USA, has introduced to market composite-based combat helmets that weigh up to 10% less than other military/protective headgear currently available. Using a novel, quick-cycle moulding process, Diaphorm moulds the helmets out of thermoplastic with ...

Robust and lightweight fire helmet.(DEFENCE)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Rosenbauer International AG, Germany, has introduced a helmet for the protection of fire-service personnel. Known as the Heros-Xtreme, the helmet is made of DSM Engineering Plastics' Stanyl grade polyamide (PA). It has also been tested and approved according to European standards EN ...

Epoxies for wind energy sector.(ENERGY/POWER GENERATION)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Dow Epoxy Systems, USA, has introduced Airstone Systems--a range of epoxy-based products for wind energy sector. The performance properties of the range mean that they are particularly well-suited for the manufacture of wind turbine blades, making them stronger, lighter and ...

Canoe is vacuum bag moulded.(SPORTS AND LEISURE)

Jun 01, 2008 ... German sport and leisure boat builder, Mega Sports Vertriebs, is manufacturing a lightweight canoe using the vacuum bag moulding method as opposed to rotomoulding. To achieve this, the company has employed technical fabric (Twintex), provided by Owens Corning Inc, USA. The ...

Hockey goal stick features TeXtreme fabric.(SPORTS AND LEISURE)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Nike Bauer Hockey (NBH), USA, in collaboration with Oxeon AB, Sweden, has developed a lightweight and durable hockey goalie stick using the latter's TeXtreme Spread Tow carbon fibre fabric. The all-composite goalie stick, called the One95, features the technically advanced fabric for ...

Project develops sandwich panels for interiors.(OFFICE, RETAIL AND DOMESTIC)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Bayer MaterialScience, Germany, in conjunction with Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences, has developed sandwich materials for interior design. (See also, image on page 1.) The year-long project, titled Inside Outside--Building with Sandwiches, examined ...

Research project on functional fibre reinforced biocomposites.(ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES)

Jun 01, 2008 ... The Swedish Institute of Composites, Swerea Sicomp, has started a project called Functional Fibre Reinforced Bio-composites (Funfirebic). Its aim is to develop biocomposite material from functionalized wood fibres and bio-based thermoplastics. To this end, enzymatic and chemical ...

Sugar beet filler.(ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Researchers from the US Agricultural Research Service (ARS) say that sugar beet pulp may help cut the costs of making biodegradable plastic by acting as a cheap environmentally friendly filler. The pulp gained from sugar beet is a fibre-rich by-product of sucrose extraction ...

Start-up to focus on self-reinforcing materials.(INDUSTRY NEWS)

Jun 01, 2008 ... Rigicom Ltd, UK, is a start-up company that has been formed to extend the Hot Compaction technology, initially developed by the University of Leeds, UK, for the manufacture of self-reinforced composites. The Hot Compaction method produces materials from highly drawn polymer ...