Browse Topic: Fibers
Climate-neutral aviation requires resource-efficient composite manufacturing technologies and solutions for the reuse of carbon fibers (CF). In this context, thermoplastic composites (TPC) can make a strong contribution. Thermoforming of TPC is an efficient and established process for aerospace components. Its efficiency could be further increased by integration of joining processes, which would otherwise be separate processes requiring additional time and equipment. In this work, an integrative two-step thermoforming process for hollow box structures is presented. The starting point are two organosheets, i.e. fiber-reinforced thermoplastic sheets. First, one of the organosheets, intended for the bottom skin of the uplift structure, is thermoformed. After cooling, the press opens, the organosheet remains in the press and an infrared heater is pivoted in, to locally heat up just the joining area. Meanwhile, a second organosheet, intended for the top skin, is heated and thermoformed and
The segment manipulator machine, a large custom-built apparatus, is used for assembling and disassembling heavy tooling, specifically carbon fiber forms. This complex yet slow-moving machine had been in service for nineteen years, with many control components becoming obsolete and difficult to replace. The customer engaged Electroimpact to upgrade the machine using the latest state-of-the-art controls, aiming to extend the system's operational life by at least another two decades. The program from the previous control system could not be reused, necessitating a complete overhaul.
Modern communication networks rely on optical signals to transfer vast amounts of data. But just like a weak radio signal, these optical signals need to be amplified to travel long distances without losing information. The most common amplifiers, erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), have served this purpose for decades, enabling longer transmission distances without the need for frequent signal regeneration. However, they operate within a limited spectral bandwidth, restricting the expansion of optical networks.
What if the clothes you wear could care for your health?
Composite materials are created by combining two or more different materials, such as a filler or fibrous reinforcement dispersed in a polymer matrix. The primary goal of developing composites is to improve properties while reducing weight, making them ideal for the sustainable development of the automotive industry. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has emerged as a promising polymer matrix for composites due to its ecological and biodegradable nature, as well as its good mechanical properties (tensile strength and modulus of elasticity), though it remains limited when compared to engineering polymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA). Cotton fibers have gained visibility in recent years as reinforcement in various matrices due to their low cost, renewable origin, and relative abundance. Incorporating cotton fibers into PLA can improve its mechanical properties, enhancing attributes such as tensile strength and stiffness, which makes the
Lead-filled aprons are currently used for atomic number (Z)-grade radiation shielding in the medical industry to protect personnel from hazardous gamma radiation. These apron garments are made with lead-filled elastomeric sheets encased in polymeric fabrics and are both heavy and bulky to meet necessary shielding requirements. In addition, there are environmental safety concerns surrounding disposal of these garments due to their lead content. An innovator at NASA Langley Research Center has developed a novel method for making thin, lightweight radiation shielding that can be sprayed or melted onto common textiles used in clothing such as cotton, nylon, polyester, Nomex, and Kevlar.
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) provides methods and guidelines for isolating dissimilar repair patch materials from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (herein also referred to as carbon composite) structure during a repair operation.
Researchers have developed a multifunctional sensor based on semiconductor fibers that emulates the five human senses. Prof. Bonghoon Kim, department of robotics and mechatronics engineering of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), conducted the study in collaboration with Prof. Sangwook Kim at KAIST, Prof. Janghwan Kim at Ajou University, and Prof. Jiwoong Kim at Soongsil University. The technology developed in the study is expected to be utilized in fields such as wearables, Internet of Things (IoT), electronic devices, and soft robotics.
To save on fuel and reduce aircraft emissions, engineers are looking to build lighter, stronger airplanes out of advanced composites. These engineered materials are made from high-performance fibers that are embedded in polymer sheets. The sheets can be stacked and pressed into one multilayered material and made into extremely lightweight and durable structures.
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a rapidly growing additive manufacturing method employed for printing fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Nonetheless, the performance of printed parts is often constrained by inherent defects. This study investigates how the varying annealing parameter affects the tribological properties of FDM-produced polypropylene carbon fiber composites. The composite pin specimens were created in a standard size of 35 mm height and 12 mm diameter, based on the specifications of the tribometer pin holder. The impact of high-temperature annealing process parameters are explored, specifically annealing temperature and duration, while maintaining a fixed cooling rate. Two set of printed samples were taken for post-annealing at temperature of 85°C for 60 and 90 min, respectively. The tribological properties were evaluated using a dry pin-on-disc setup and examined both pre- (as-built) and post-annealing at temperature of 85°C for 60 and 90 min printed samples
Researchers have designed a six-hole micro-structure antiresonant air-core fiber (AR-HCF) with a large core diameter of 78 μm. The researchers say it is the first time that 2.79 μm high energy pulsed laser has been transmitted with good efficiency at room temperature.
In the future, power sockets used to recharge smartphones, tablets, and laptops could become obsolete. The electricity would then come from our own clothes. By means of a new polymer that is applied on textile fibers, clothing could soon function as solar collectors and thus as a mobile energy supply.
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