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:
GE9X engine for the 777X to feature fewer, thinner composite fan blades
GE Aviation says that its all-new GE9X engine being developed for the Boeing 777X airplane will feature fewer and thinner composite fan blades than the GEnx, using a high-stiffness carbon fiber and new epoxy matrix resin.
Southern Research Inst. receives DOE award to advance low cost carbon fiber from biomass
Team member Cytec Carbon Fibers LLC will validate the bio-based acrylonitrile precursor.
Boeing, Russell Brands work to put 787 carbon fiber into athletic gear
Excess carbon fiber from 787 Dreamliner production will be used to manufacture Russell Brands’ lightweight, high-strength CarbonTek American football shoulder pads.
Hartzell two-blade composite Trailblazer propeller OK’d for Aviat Husky
The company’s new Swept-Tip Trailblazer carbon fiber composite propeller approved by FAA for Husky, and available for other certified and experimental aircraft.
The Outlook for Thermoplastics in Aerospace Composites, 2014-2023
Capable of volume production, thermoplastic composites will gain new market share in the aerospace industry.
Oracle Team USA receives carbon fiber recycling award
Applied research firm SCRA has awarded racing yacht manufacturer Oracle Team USA an ReXC award for its use of reclaimed carbon fiber composites.
Massive Technologies coordinating sale of aero-grade carbon fiber
The company is offering 432,000 lb of aerospace-grade carbon fiber, originally purchased by Boeing for the 787, at a discount from the retail price.
Three-spoke bike wheel features spread-tow fibers
Bike gear specialist PRO employed Oxeon’s TeXtreme spread-tow carbon fiber fabric to develop an ultralight three-spoke bicycle wheel.
Huntsman adhesive selected for Harley-Davidson application
Huntsman’s Araldite 20131 epoxy adhesive has been specified by Odyssey Motorcycles for use with composites and metals on the Harley-Davidson Super Sport Roadster.
Plasan Carbon Composites to expand Michigan facility
The Grand Rapids Business Journal reports that Plasan Carbon Composites will invest $29 million to expand its facility in Walker, Mich., USA, creating more than 600 jobs over the next three years.
Teijin’s high-speed composites manufacturing process: Still a mystery
Teijin introduced this passenger cell concept in 2011 to demonstrate the capabilities of its 60-second carbon fiber/thermoplastics manufacturing process. Since then, we’ve seen and heard little about the process.
Hexcel to build new carbon fiber plant in France
The facility, in Roussilon, France, will provide carbon fiber for the Airbus A350 XWB and the CFM LEAP engine. Construction will begin in mid-2015, followed by operation in early 2018.
Toray opens carbon fiber precursor facility in France
Toray Carbon Fiber Europe S.A. officially opens its new polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor plant in Lacq, France.
Massive Technologies coordinating sale of aero-grade carbon fiber
The company is offering 432,000 lb of aerospace-grade carbon fiber, originally purchased by Boeing for the 787, at a discount from the retail price
Automobili Lamborghini earns certification for carbon fiber repair
Italian sports car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini has obtained certification from TÃœV Italia for its composites repair services.
Aeroindustryjobs: Jobs of the month, September, 2014
Week of September 3:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at University of South Carolina, AAR Aerostructures & Interiors, Aurora Flight Sciences and Toray Composites (America) Inc.
Week of September 9: Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at Amtech, Boeing, Exelis, Cytec Industrial Materials and Raytheon.
Week of September 16:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at Cytec Aerospace Materials, Exelis, Hexcel and Toray Composites America.
Week of September 23:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at Raytheon, Exelis, Hexcel, GE Aviation and Eaton.
Week of September 30:Â Aerospace-related job opportunities at Amtech, Vanguard Space Technologies, Aurora Flight Sciences and GE Aviation.