The annual Conference on Composites, Materials, and Structures (also known as the Cocoa Beach Conference) is the preeminent export controlled and ITAR restricted forum in the United States to review and discuss advances in materials for extreme environments. The Conference started in the 1970s as a small informal gathering for government and industry to share information on programs and state-of-the-art technology. Attendance has grown to nearly 500 people while preserving this same objective to share needs and trends in high-temperature and extreme environment materials, and the latest information on advanced materials and manufacturing processes. The five-day conference program includes two to three parallel sessions per day on topics including thermal protection materials, ceramic matrix composites, carbon-carbon materials, ballistic technologies, hypersonics, and gas turbine engines. Attendees are engineers, scientists, managers, and operational personnel from the turbine engine, aviation, missiles and space, and protective equipment communities. These communities include the Navy, Air Force, Army, MDA, NASA, DARPA, FAA, DOE, engine manufacturers, missile and aircraft manufacturers, commercial space companies, and material and component suppliers. Participation is limited to U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents only with an active DD2345 certification.

During this CW Tech Days event, sponsored by Composites One, experts will offer presentations to review and evaluate the composite materials, processes and applications that should and will be considered for use in the infrastructure and construction markets.

These graphs show mechanical properties of the pellets manufactured using Shocker Composites rCF. The pellets were extruded into coupons and tested for tensile and flexural properties. The different colors show properties from different vendors (click to enlarge). SOURCE: Shocker Composites.

Closed mold processes have many advantages over open molding. In this knowledge center, learn the basics and vital tools needed to produce parts accurately.

Pure nickel is one of the most valued metals in the world. Because of its superior malleability and ductility, nickel wires can be stretched to achieve thinness that would break other metals. Pure nickel wires are also excellent conductors of heat and electricity. For these reasons, nickel wires are used most commonly in the aerospace and medical industries.

So, Shocker then had to solve the problem of densifying the material so that it could be compounded with thermoplastic into pellets for injection molding and extrusion/3D printing.  “This is what has been accomplished over the last few months,” Rawson explains. “We have worked with a customer to compound the recycled carbon fiber with ABS into pellets and then extrude for large-scale 3D printing. The results were the same as for virgin fiber and the cost is less than current market price for pellets made with virgin fiber.”

This past October was plagued with a series of unfortunate natural disasters that, amidst ongoing travel for CW, has provided a poignant reminder of composites’ importance in facing future events.

Shocker Composites and R&M International have compounded the recycled carbon fiber into 20-40% reinforced ABS filament and demonstrated its successful use in the BAAM 3D printing process. SOURCE: R&M International.

Rawson explains that R&M had already seen opportunity in recycling carbon fiber. “We were looking for a sustainable, competitive advantage vs. what is already out there. Shocker Composites’ process offers this advantage because it is an inline process, not a batch process.” He notes that batch processes are expensive and difficult to scale. “You must copy process modules over and over to add capacity.”

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The short-term path forward for Shocker Composites and R&M International is to produce and sell high-quality recycled carbon fiber to 3D printer filament manufacturers, molding material compounders and higher-value, niche market injection molders.

Virtek Vision demonstrates its Iris AI technology at CAMX 2024. It combines laser projection with machine learning software to detect foreign object debris during a composite layup.

Arris presents mechanical testing results of an Arris-designed natural fiber thermoplastic composite in comparison to similarly produced glass and carbon fiber-based materials.

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This collection details the basics, challenges, and future of thermoplastic composites technology, with particular emphasis on their use for commercial aerospace primary structures.

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MTorres seeks to enable next-gen aircraft and open new markets for composites with low-cost, high-permeability tapes and versatile, high-speed production lines.

CDCQ, LxSim, Addcomp and Argon 18 collaborate to optimize a carbon fiber/PA6 bike seat post, democratizing AFP and demonstrating materials and process for future designs and production.

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Thermoplastics for Large Structures, experts explored the materials and processing technologies that are enabling the transition to large-part manufacturing.

Jetcam’s latest white paper explores the critical aspects of nesting in composites manufacturing, and strategies to balance material efficiency and kitting speed.

VoltAero inaugurates its industrial facility in Rochefort for the final assembly line for the family of Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft, to incorporate composite elements.

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Also known as nickel chrome, nichrome is a nickel and chromium alloy with varying levels of each metal. The number following the nichrome type indicates the proportion of nickel to chromium. For example, Nichrome 60 consists of about 60% nickel and 40% chromium.

Gas-fired batch oven is designed to process up to 5,000 pounds of filament-wound parts at a time, while delivering on optimal temperature uniformity and efficient use of floor space.

Explore the cutting-edge composites industry, as experts delve into the materials, tooling, and manufacturing hurdles of meeting the demands of the promising advanced air mobility (AAM) market. Join us at CW Tech Days to unlock the future of efficient composites fabrication operations.

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This collection features detail the current state of the industry and recent success stories across aerospace, automotive and rail applications.

A report on the demand for hydrogen as an energy source and the role composites might play in the transport and storage of hydrogen.

However, it now had to be demonstrated that the fiber could be reused with high performance. “We had difficulty because the recycled fiber was so fluffy, that it was hard to get it into a resin for reuse,” says Rawson. He concedes that it could be readily converted into a nonwoven material, “but that product is already out there via pyrolysis and we are seeing that the market is still being developed to take up these materials. We did see an opportunity, however, if we could process the fiber into pellets for thermoplastic composite molding and overmolding.”

Solico Engineering introduces the module to complete its Amphora calculation tool, made for the design of fiber-reinforced silos and tanks.

Composed of roughly two-thirds nickel, one-third copper, and trace amounts of iron, carbon, silicon, and manganese, Monel is stronger than pure nickel. Monel is also highly corrosion-resistant, especially in seawater. Therefore, this material is popular for marine and chemical processing applications.

Scanning electron micrographs of virgin carbon fiber (left) and carbon fiber recycled using Shocker Composites’ solvolysis process (right). SOURCE: R&M International

How does a cutting-edge measurement technology evolve into a solution that drives real-time insights and transforms quality control and efficiency in composites manufacturing for aerospace applications? In this exclusive interview-style webinar, sensXPERT managing director Dr. Alexander Chaloupka will sit down with Jorge Blanco Fernandez, R&T engineer at Ensia (the Spanish entity of Testia, an Airbus Company), to uncover the story of how dielectric analysis (DEA), once a lab-based measurement tool, was transformed into a comprehensive solution for process control in the production of composite aerospace parts. Discover how Testia is constantly seeking new technologies to improve manufacturing processes and chooses dielectric measurement for its potential — only to encounter the challenges of complex data analysis. Learn how sensXPERT took this challenge head-on, turning dielectric technology into a scalable solution with automated data analysis, real-time process adjustments and in-mold material behavior insights that directly connect to quality standards. Agenda:  Discovering dielectric measurement technology Complying with industry regulations The transformation to a full solution The sensXPERT process control solution Benefits and impact on aviation manufacturing

Because of its versatility and toughness, nickel wire is an ideal choice for many applications. This material is highly valued for its strength, ductility, conductivity, and resistance to corrosion and extreme temperatures.

JEC World gathers the whole value chain of the composite materials industry in Paris (France) every year and is “the place to be” for composites professionals from all over the world. The event brings together not only all major global companies, but also innovative startups in the field of composites and advanced materials, experts, academics, scientists, and R&D leaders. JEC World is also the “festival of composites”, offering a unique showcase of what composites can offer to various application sectors, from aerospace to marine, from construction to automotive, and an unlimited source of inspiration for participants from these industries.

Performing regular maintenance of the layup tool for successful sealing and release is required to reduce the risk of part adherence.

Knowing the fundamentals for reading drawings — including master ply tables, ply definition diagrams and more — lays a foundation for proper composite design evaluation.

ICERP India is an important event of the Indian composites industry organized by FRP Institute. The focus of the 2025 show will be up-gradation of composites technology in India to reach global level in terms of product quality, finishing and also to address the challenges that have to be met to achieve global standards.

The composites industry plays a crucial role in developing lightweight and durable materials for a range of applications, including those critical to national defense. One key focus area is the development of advanced structural materials and manufacturing technologies that support next-generation space, missile and aircraft systems for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). ARC Technologies LLC (ARC), a division of Hexcel Corporation, based in Amesbury, Massachusetts, is a provider of advanced composites structures, specialty materials and other unique products that provide the U.S. Department of Defense with advanced capabilities to protect service members while in harm’s way. This team’s specialty is to understand a specific need from a program office, PEO, platform manufacturer or other offices within the DOD. With that understanding, the team can design a solution, develop a prototype for test and evaluation, perform extensive in-house testing — including electromagnetic, environmental and structural testing — and then partner with the customer through platform evaluation. The Hexcel Amesbury division has a team of engineers on staff, including mechanical, chemical, electrical and research and development specialists that can provide design, testing and manufacturing capabilities to service customer requirements from concept through production. This presentation will illustrate capabilities in advanced composites and other specialty materials structures, focusing on the Hexcel Amesbury team's niche in electromagnetic signature reduction and other unique capabilities.

Discover how Multi-Ply, a leading composite parts manufacturer, revolutionized composite production planning with Plataine’s AI-powered solution. This webinar will detail how an AI scheduling solution, designed for composite manufacturing, minimizes delays, optimizes resource allocation and drives higher throughput. Hear directly from Multi-Ply’s team on their journey to digitize planning and create accurate, large-scale production plans in minutes. Learn how automated scheduling allowed them to overcome the unique challenges of composite manufacturing, improving production accuracy, managing bottlenecks and optimizing factory resources. Gain actionable insights to automate your composite production planning, increase plan accuracy, respond quickly to production issues and leverage simulations supporting strategic decisions and growth in composites.

Shocker Composites (Wichita, KS, US) is a start-up out of Wichita State University (Wichita, KS, US) founded by Ph.D. student Vamsidhar Patlolla. He developed a method to recycle and reuse carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) test coupons during a research project on self-healing composites. “He came to us about 18 months ago, looking for sales channels for his recycled Aerospace grade fibers,” explains Stephen Rawson, a partner at R&M International (Fort Washington, PA, US), which specializes in the international import, export and trade of textiles, plastics and recycling materials. “The process uses solvolysis to dissolve the resin and then to completely remove it from the fiber. We were very interested because the recycled carbon fibers are not only very high quality, with the same properties as virgin aerospace grade fibers, but the process is profitable cost-wise.”

CompoTech, Kongsberg PCS collaboration integrates foam-cored design, automated placement of pitch and PAN fibers to achieve award-winning increase in speed and precision.

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Trials of 20% rCF ABS compound converted into 1.75mm 3D printing filament show very high quality and process capability. SOURCE: R&M International.

In this article, we delve into powerful inventory management strategies that business owners can adopt to efficiently manage their inventory.

In the Automated Composites Knowledge Center, CGTech brings you vital information about all things automated composites.

Shocker Composites and R&M International have developed means for densifying the recycled carbon fiber (left) and compounding into pellets (right) for thermoplastic injection molding or overmolding. SOURCE: R&M International.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) tool and Industry Accelerator and University Outreach programs are designed to fast-track decarbonization as regulatory frameworks tighten and consumer demand for sustainability grows.

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In these sessions, experts will discuss the emerging hydrogen economy and the opportunities for composites in this lucrative space.

California Fine Wire manufactures high-quality custom wire products for a vast range of applications and industries. We can draw nickel wires to diameters as small as 0.0004 inch and offer various configurations, such as round, duplex, ribbon, or stranded. Our other wire materials include aluminum, copper, thermocouple alloys, gold, silver, platinum, and more.

CDCQ, LxSim, Addcomp and Argon 18 collaborate to optimize a carbon fiber/PA6 bike seat post, democratizing AFP and demonstrating materials and process for future designs and production.

Third World Sailing award nomination highlights the company’s focus on marine innovation using sustainable composite materials.

Nickel is a popular material for wires because its top layer can resist extreme chemical corrosion, including air and water oxidation. Nickel alloys are also resilient against acids and alkalis. Nickel wire is frequently used in products containing electrical components or those that experience high levels of heat (up to 2,600 °F). The material is also magnetic as long as it remains below 350 °F. Beyond this point, it will lose its magnetic properties.

How the predictive tool “CZone” is applied to simulate the axial crushing response of composites, providing valuable insights into their use for motorsport applications.

“We are now performing trials, using the recycled carbon fiber to make 3D printing filament — both 1.75mm and 2.85mm diameter — using ABS and nylon,” says Rawson. “We’ve done a test part on the Cincinnati Inc. BAAM equipment (see the blog “Additive manufacturing: Can you print a car?”) using  ABS reinforced with the recycled carbon fiber, from 20% up to 40% reinforcement. It prints beautifully.” He notes that the 3D printing market for BAAM and Thermwood’s LAAM process is growing (see my report from CAMX 2017, scroll down to the 4th item, in fact the whole last part is about rCF and 3D printing).

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It is also working on new densification and pelletization technologies that enable longer fiber compounds. “If you can get up to 1.0 inch in length for aligned discontinuous carbon fiber, you get almost the same structural properties as for continuous fiber,” Rawson explains. “If that’s the case, you can see recycled carbon fiber as becoming much more valuable.

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He notes that the industry-university consortium advancing this technology is also refining the tape making progress, achieving 5-10% improvement in alignment and strength properties without even pushing the fiber to longer length.

This webinar will dive into how advanced AI neural network technology can streamline your composite inspection process, offering unparalleled speed, accuracy, real-time inspection and monitoring. Learn how automating inspections can help manufacturers improve efficiency, reduce errors and ensure consistent high-quality production. See the technology in action and explore how integrating AI can overcome your inspection challenges and elevate your operations. Agenda: AI neural network overview Flexible AI camera integration with IRIS 3D platform Precision detection capabilities Real-time monitoring and alerts Process digitization and tracking Why automate? - benefits of automating the inspection process Next steps: how to get started

Nichrome is especially effective at heat and oxidation resistance, often serving as the heating element in household appliances like toasters and hair dryers. Ceramic sculptors, glassmakers, laboratories, and construction sites also use nichrome to heat objects.

Tool are a band from Los Angeles California. This section of Fourtheye contains all the latest Tool news and rumours.

Fully automated, all-in-one 3D printing platform handles high-rate industrial-sized composite parts printing and postprocessing in a compact, accessible design.

CDCQ, LxSim, Addcomp and Argon 18 collaborate to optimize a carbon fiber/PA6 bike seat post, democratizing AFP and demonstrating materials and process for future designs and production.

Bureau Veritas and industry partners issue guidelines and pave the way for certification via StrengthBond Offshore project.

“Unlike other recycling methods such as pyrolysis, there is no 10-20% knockdown vs. virgin fiber, and we can produce it at a lower cost than virgin fiber. We’ve looked for where there is a good market that is sustainable long-term, and we think thermoplastic composites is the best market niche for our fiber, with 3D printing as an accelerator.”

Carbon fiber recyclenear me

Under the new strategic distribution partnership, Biesterfeld will be the official sales partner for various Saertex material products to the German market.

Cevotec, a tank manufacturer, Roth Composite Machinery and Cikoni, have undertaken a comprehensive project to explore and demonstrate the impact of dome reinforcements using FPP technology for composite tanks.

Collaboration aims to overcome production limitations with tubular thermoplastic composites (TPC) by using induction-heated tooling and high-quality commingled braids.

Over 12,000 ASTM standards operate globally. Defined and set by ASTM, these standards improve the lives of millions every day. Twelve ASTM committess will meet in Houston, Texas, in January 2025.

Delivery of the single-spindle robotic setup with an ATP head will advance the R&D organization’s work in CUBIC, GENEX and Carbo4power initiatives targeting sustainable composites development.

Reliable news and information on where and how fiber-reinforced composites are being applied — that’s just the start of what you get from our team here at CompositesWorld.

This curved prototype part for a military application, roughly the size of safety goggles (center photo), has been compression molded from 30% CF/PP sheet made using the CNAM DiFTs process. SOURCE: R&M International and CNAM.

Next-gen carbon fiber materials will be tested under extreme conditions for 12-18 months to determine their viability in space for use in future space bases, interplanetary travel.

Over the years, dielectric analysis (DEA) has evolved from a lab measurement technique to a technology that improves efficiency and quality in composites production on the shop floor.

At California Fine Wire, we manufacture wires based on your unique industry and application standards. We use only the highest quality raw materials and strive to exceed our customers’ expectations. We can insulate all our wire products with PTFE or enamel, and we can add a copper, gold, silver, tin, or extra nickel plating using our innovative electroplating capabilities. For more information about our products and services, contact us or request a quote.

Recycledcarbonfibre BMC

Shocker Composites and R&M International have also sent the ABS compound to a 3D printing filament manufacturer, who converted it into 1.75mm filament and then trialed it into a commercial 3D printer to make a cube, a vase and other objects. “The hexagon-patterned vase shows how well that filament prints,” says Rawson. “The filament producer said it was excellent, that it flowed well and printed well.”

RNG/CNG fuel system installations with Type 4 CFRP pressure vessels, powered by Cummins’ 15-liter natural gas tank, adds 230,000 heavy-duty trucks to the addressable RNG/CNG market annually.

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Explore the technologies, materials and strategies used by composites manufacturers working in the evolving space market.

VX4 eVTOL aircraft prototype begins untethered, piloted, thrust-borne testing following expansion of permit to fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Recycling process flow for Shocker Composites and R&M International rCF via inline solvolysis. SOURCE: R&M International

Bio-inspired Australian-made craft featuring hemp-reinforced fuselage panels and sustainable fuel capabilities is positioned to meet disaster relief, e-commerce and military needs.

Despite court-approved insolvency filings and beginning first investor briefings, Lilium remains fully focused on re-emerging following restructuring, setting its sights on fresh investment to support the Lilium Jet.

Flight of first production aircraft fresh off Beta’s full-scale manufacturing line in Vermont is followed by Special Airworthiness certification from the FAA.

San Diego-based 2024 Top Shops qualifier Rock West Composites gives an overview of its relentless commitment to improvement, including its composite capabilities and its role as a trusted player in the space market.

Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.

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Carbon fiberremanufacturing

Currently, the most common recycling process used to recover carbon fiber from composite waste is pyrolysis, where high heat basically burns off the resin. Solvolysis, which uses a solvent to dissolve the resin, has long been claimed to offer superior properties. So far, commercialization of both pyrolysis and solvolysis has been through batch processes. But inline processing is finally in the works.

R&M International has trialed the Shocker Composites rCF in a variety of compression molded parts with good results. SOURCE: R&M International.

Air Force-funded initiative looks to LFAM thermoset, thermoplastic advancement for fast, inexpensive composite tooling production.

Electra will identify and deliver various concepts and technologies for future sustainable commercial airline development, which could enter service by mid-century.

Japan Airlines’ and Sumitomo’s joint venture company intends to purchase up to 100 Midnight aircraft to certify and commercialize AAM services across Japan.

The composite tubes white paper explores some of the considerations for specifying composite tubes, such as mechanical properties, maintenance requirements and more.

The Summit consists of a range of 12 high-level lectures by 14 invited speakers. Topics are composites-related innovations in automotive/transport, space/aerospace, advanced materials, process engineering, as well as challenging applications in other markets like architecture, construction, sports, energy, marine and more. High-ranked speakers are from China, Japan, USA, and Europe. Attendees are managers of CEO and CTO level in leading companies, engineers, scientists, and professionals from throughout the advanced materials and processes industry and universities. The conference day starts at 9 AM and ends with a networking dinner in the Pullman with outside a magnificent view on the Eiffel Tower. It is an outstanding occasion for networking with interesting colleagues and meeting new contacts.

CW’s editors are tracking the latest trends and developments in tooling, from the basics to new developments. This collection, presented by Composites One, features four recent CW stories that detail a range of tooling technologies, processes and materials.

“Right now, we are recycling prepreg waste using the inline solvolysis process, and there is no degradation of the fiber,” says Rawson. “This is going to make carbon fiber more and more accessible as you recycle in a way that it can be reused many times. The customer that buys our thermoplastic composite pellets will use that material and include that cost as part of their parts production. They’re not expecting to recover anything from it, but that part at the end of its life can now be recycled multiple times and therefore can once again be monetized. As more and more fiber gets into this closed loop, more increasingly cheaper fiber will become available. This is so tremendous for our industry because we’re reusing the material over and over.”

Together with Purdue, AnalySwift aims to develop a composite heater layer and a novel software tool or module to achieve assembly, disassembly of thermoplastic composite joints in space during long-duration missions.

CompositesWorld’s Tech Days: Design, Simulation and Testing Technologies for Next-Gen Composite Structures is designed to provide a multi-perspective view of the state of the art in design, simulation, failure analysis, digital twins, virtual testing and virtual inspection.

CompoTech, Kongsberg PCS collaboration integrates foam-cored design, automated placement of pitch and PAN fibers to achieve award-winning increase in speed and precision.

Composite materials are being successfully adopted for certification and low initial rate production (LRIP) in eVTOL aircraft variants today. As demand for eVTOL grows, vehicle build rates will increase and the challenge of high-rate composite production will become a reality. Syensqo is developing composite material solutions to meet the most demanding requirements for eVTOL's vehicles of today and tomorrow. This presentation will focus on the key drivers and Syensqo's approach to unlocking the full potential of composite materials for eVTOL blades. Agenda:  A review of the advanced air mobility market status The future challenges facing composite materials adoption Key drivers for advanced air mobility rotor blades Syensqo's advanced materials solutions for blades

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Porsche worked with Action Composites to design and manufacture an innovative carbon fiber safety cage option to lightweight one of its series race vehicles, built in a one-shot compression molding process.

Shocker Composites and R&M International are working with the University of South Dakota’s CNAM center to convert longer recycled carbon fiber into reinforced thermoplastic sheet though the DiFTs process. Rolls of reinforced PP tape are shown here. SOURCE: R&M International.

As the aircraft interiors industry increasingly moves towards circular and sustainable solutions, it's crucial for the supply chain to adopt these innovations to stay competitive. Advanced thermoplastic composites present significant advantages, including faster production, improved recyclability and reduced weight. Join Toray for this insightful webinar where they will dive into the latest developments in thermoplastic composites and their applications in aircraft interiors. Toray will explore how these materials enable the efficient manufacture of parts while improving overall sustainability and meeting the stringent FST standards of the aviation sector. Whether you're a design engineer, materials specialist or industry professional, this session will provide valuable insights into how thermoplastic composites can drive innovation and competitiveness in aircraft interiors.

“CNAM has produced these using nylon, ABS, and PP, but it could be any Thermoplastic,” says Rawson. The DiFTs pilot line currently produces 8-inch wide tapes up to a 2.0 mil thickness from extruded pellets, and it creates approximately 80% alignment in the fibers. This now allows you to design structural parts. Through a simple laminator, we can splice these tapes together to make sheets over 1 m in width, only limited by the size of the laminator.”

The composites industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of sustainability in its operations. As demand for lightweight and durable materials rises across various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction, there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with traditional composite manufacturing processes.

Sunreef 43M Eco electric catamaran, with a composite surface of 1,700 square meters, is considered to have the world’s largest infused hull.

The idea of using aligned discontinuous fibers to achieve greater moldability and high mechanical properties was demonstrated a decade ago with stretch-broken carbon fiber. Read “Aligned discontinuous fibers come of age”. Another interesting article on this is “Aligned Discontinuous Fibre Composites: A Short History” published in 2014 by Matthew Such, Carwyn Ward and Kevin Potter.

A&P has made a name for itself as a braider, but the depth and breadth of its technical aptitude comes into sharp focus with a peek behind usually closed doors.

R&M International is pursuing this further, working with the Composites and Polymer Engineering (CAPE) Laboratory and Composite and Nanocomposite Advanced Manufacturing Center (CNAM) at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SD Mines, Rapid City, SD, US). CNAM has developed a Discontinuous Fiber-reinforced Thermoplastic sheet (DiFTs) process that produces sheets containing discontinuous fibers with significant retention of fiber length and fiber alignment. The patent-pending process is compatible with a variety of fibers, including rCF. Material supplied to Steelcase (Caledonia, MI, US) and PolyOne for molding trials have shown that CF/PP sheets made with DiFTs can be thermoformed and compression molded with good results. An automotive differential cover made from 30% rCF/PP was molded by the University of Maine’s Alfond Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory for Structural Thermoplastics and presented by David Erb at the 2017 Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition (ACCE): “Development of a Thermoformed Rear Differential Cover Made From Recycled Carbon Fiber”.

Stuttgart-based company offers carbon, metal and ceramic fiber-based papers and nonwovens in various areal weights and thicknesses, engineered for high-temperature, sustainable application requirements.

Shocker Composites and R&M International are developing a supply chain for recycled CF with zero knockdown vs. virgin fiber, lower cost and, eventually, lengths delivering structural properties close to continuous fiber.

CompoTech, Kongsberg PCS collaboration integrates foam-cored design, automated placement of pitch and PAN fibers to achieve award-winning increase in speed and precision.

What about injection molding and overmolding? “That market tends to be very allied with virgin carbon fiber producers and not very amenable to switching to rCF,” says Rawson. “Of course, that is for the big compounders. There is opportunity in small, niche molders of high-value components.” Rawson shows a biomedical device from MTD Micro Molding. R&M International has successfully trialed the Shocker Composites rCF in a variety of injection molded components.

Shocker Composites had already demonstrated taking uncured prepreg waste, removing the resin and producing recycled fiber that shows no damage when compared with virgin carbon fiber (vCF). “They performed microscopic analysis on the recycled fiber and found it to be almost identical to virgin fiber, except there is no sizing,” says Rawson. The fiber structure was seen to be essentially the same as vCF.

CompositesWorld’s CW Tech Days: Infrastructure event offers a series of expert presentations on composite materials, processes and applications that should and will be considered for use in the infrastructure and construction markets.

Increasingly, prototype and production-ready smart devices featuring thermoplastic composite cases and other components provide lightweight, optimized sustainable alternatives to metal.

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Foundational research discusses the current carbon fiber recycling landscape in Utah, and evaluates potential strategies and policies that could enhance this sustainable practice in the region.

Sicomin has partnered with Skaw Sailing and Shoreteam to deliver a foiling yacht design for cruising that embodies durability and performance with a low environmental impact.

Bureau Veritas and industry partners issue guidelines and pave the way for certification via StrengthBond Offshore project.

The Detroit Auto Show, formerly known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), is located squarely at the intersection of technology and mobility. It’s a global event filled with tangible advances ready to hit the pavement today. Here, the software is as revolutionary as anything out there, and the hardware always looks better with a good polish. You won’t find any devices that will fit in your pocket, but you will discover machines that will move you in the most literal sense. You’ll also connect with thought leaders from around the world, both in and outside the automotive industry, whose collective visions for the future of mobility will shape the way we move for years to come.

CW Tech Days are virtual events dedicated to the topics impacting the composites industry today. Access past event recordings and register for upcoming Tech Days.

The companies will continue development toward longer-term goals, including use of their rCF products in discontinuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic tapes and extension of the rCF length to 1 inch and perhaps even beyond.

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“The unique thing about Shocker is that the recycled carbon fiber produced with this inline solvolysis process is very high quality with no apparent damage to the fibers,” says Rawson.

R&M International does see opportunity for injection molding with rCF in high-value, niche applications like this biomedical device.  SOURCE: MTD Micro Molding

Initial demonstration in furniture shows properties two to nine times higher than plywood, OOA molding for uniquely shaped components.