Industry News
We’ve partnered with the folks at Composites World to bring you monthly updates in the more technical world of carbon fiber.  Here’s what’s new this month:
Mitsubishi Rayon to double U.S. carbon fiber capacity
Mitsubishi Rayon Carbon Fiber and Composites will increase carbon fiber manufacturing capacity at its Sacramento, Calif., USA, plant from 2,000 tons to 4,000 tons by mid-2016.
CFM begins LEAP-1B engine ground test program
The LEAP-1B, the LEAP variant designed for use on the Boeing 737 MAX, and featuring extensive use of carbon fiber and ceramic matrix composites, has begun testing ahead of 2017 commercialization.
Carbon fiber epoxy honeycombs mimic performance of balsa
Harvard engineers use new resin inks and 3-D printing to lightweight cellular composites.
Cygnet USA moves headquarters to South Carolina
Cygnet, which makes machinery for unwinding, handling and processing fibers used to make carbon fiber, will be based in Greenville, S.C., USA and has named Graham Muir vice president of sales.
2014 Carbon Fiber conference program begins to take shape
The program for the 2014 Carbon Fiber conference, Dec. 9-11 in La Jolla, Calif., USA, is in development. One presentation to focus on new market opportunities for carbon fiber.
KittyHawk UAV completes first flight
A 1:4 scale VX-1 KittyHawk, designed and manufactured by VX Aerospace and featuring C-Ply thin-ply carbon fiber reinforcement from Chomarat, flew successfully for the first time on June 6 in North Carolina, USA.
Large-tow carbon fiber’s popularity speaks volumes
The big news in composites this week came out of carbon fiber and resin supplier Cytec Industries, which announced on July 8 that is establishing a business relationship with German acrylic producer Dralon GmbH.
Composites steady radio telescope reflector
Precise carbon fiber-reinforced dish prototype could be the model for as many as 2,500 telescopes in the Square Kilometre Array.
Cytec evaluating manufacture of large-tow, industrial-grade carbon fiber
Cytec Industries has entered into strategic discussions with German acrylic manufacturer Dralon GmbH regarding potential supply of precursor for the manufacture of large-tow, industrial-grade carbon fiber.
SGL begins production of thermoplastic-compatible carbon fiber
SGL Group’s SIGRAFIL C 50k product is a large-tow carbon fiber featuring sizing designed specifically for use in thermoplastic composites applications in automotive manufacturing.
Carbon fiber rudders, dagger board hydrofoils prove their mettle
CarbonicBoats designed and manufactured carbon fiber/epoxy dagger board and rudder hydrofoils as retrofits for several International A Division Catamarans that recently competed in the 2014 world championship races in New Zealand.
Excess carbon, glass and other fibers
Reports of unused fiber reinforcement, prepreg and other fiber forms, as well as production cutoff and scrap. Updated: July 21, 2014.
Hexcel’s material helps Tour de France winner
Vincenzo Nibali rode to victory on bike wheels manufactured by Corima using Hexcel prepregs.
Carbon Fiber presentation to explore RFID composites applications
Plataine will offer at Carbon Fiber 2014 (Dec. 9-11, La Jolla, Calif., USA) information on the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) in composites fabrication to help track vital inventory data and help streamline operations.
Aeroindustryjobs: Jobs of the month, July, 2014
Week of July 1:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at AOC, Rolls-Royce, Toray Composites (America), Hexcel and Aurora Flight Sciences.
Week of July 8:Â Aerospace-related job opportunities at GE Aviation, Cytec Aerospace Materials, Hexcel and Toray Composites America.
Week of July 15:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at TenCate Performance Composites, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Hexcel, Cytec Industries and Boeing.
Week of July 22:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at Northern Composites, Exelis, GE Aviation, Cobham and Eaton.
Week of July 29:Â Aerospace-related job opportunities at Other Lab, Boeing, Cytec Aerospace Materials, Hexcel and GE Aviation.