Richard Stewart

Automotive composites offer lighter solutions

The drive toward smaller, lighter, more energy-efficient vehicles continues as consumers push for ‘greener’ – but not necessarily smaller – vehicles, while government regulators demand ever higher fuel economy performance and lower carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. Richard Stewart reports on the larger role being played by reinforced plastics in the auto industry.

Rebounding automotive industry welcome news for FRP

Vehicle manufacturers continue to increase fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) content in their products to reduce weight, consolidate parts and save money. Suppliers are making good use of improved resins and reinforcements to produce higher performing, lightweight automotive components that outperform and cost less than parts they replace. Plus, carbon fibre is creating more buzz these days as vehicle lightweighting becomes increasingly important. Richard Stewart reports on these developments and trends in automotive composites.

Carbon fibre composites poised for dramatic growth

Richard Stewart reports 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.

Lightweighting the automotive market

Fuel economy has become a priority for car buyers around the globe, and vehicle OEMs have intensified their efforts to lightweight their products for improved mileage. Richard Stewart reports that the benefits of composites are looking better than ever to car makers.

Wind turbine blade production – new products keep pace as scale increases

The wind energy industry is one of the fastest-growing consumers of fibre reinforced plastics in the world. Production challenges are compounded as the scale of wind turbines continues to climb. Blades, among the most complex parts to mould, now exceed 80 m in length and are getting longer. Freelance journalist Richard Stewart reports on new products and processes developed to meet the needs of utility-scale blade producers.

At the core of lightweight composites

Richard Stewart reports on the types of cores available for composite sandwich structures and the specific properties and benefits they provide.

Pultrusion industry grows steadily in US

Abstract There are numerous opportunities in the US market for flat pultruded sheet, but the real growth potential is thought to lie in the development of structural profiles, especially for bridge construction and large overhead infrastructure applications. Richard Stewart explains.

Carbon fibre producers optimistic in downturn

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.

Better boat building — trend to closed-mould processingcontinues

The recreational boat building industry is a major consumer of composite materials. But the global economic downturn left material suppliers and boat builders alike struggling to survive in dangerous waters. Boat manufacturers have gone through a period of consolidation and downsizing, looking for ways to cut costs and boost productivity. Meanwhile, the industry has never stopped developing new materials, processing techniques and innovations that contribute to better boat construction and better on-water performance. Richard Stewart reports.

New prepreg materials offer versatility, top performance

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. Richard Stewart reports on new developments in prepreg technology and applications in which prepreg materials are being used.