This research, valued at US$10 million, will investigate all aspects of coal-derived carbon fibre production – from computational chemistry and pitch processing to the final spinning and heat treatment process of the fibres. The aim is to produce fibres with superior properties at a lower cost than currently available.

Through this effort, ORNL researchers will work to understand the chemistry and processing conditions required to produce different grades of coal-derived carbon fibre. NETL, ORNL, and the university teams will work closely to diversify U.S. coal use in domestic manufacturing while making coal and coal-based products more attractive for export.

Because of competition from low-priced natural gas and incentivised renewable energy, the market for coal in the electric power generation sector is decreasing. However, coal-to-products opportunities can develop new markets for coal, which have the potential to offset this decrease.

For example, the market for carbon fibres is estimated to see an annual growth rate of 12 per cent through 2024, driven largely by increased use in aerospace and defence applications and in light-weighting of vehicle structures. Additional market growth is also possible in other high-volume applications, such as thermal insulation for buildings and materials for construction and infrastructure.

The $10 million that ORNL’s Carbon Fiber Technology Facility will receive comes as a part of $30 million in the fiscal year 2020 Congressional appropriations to support DOE’s Advanced Coal Processing Program. This program supports the development of technologies that can utilise coal for purposes outside the traditional thermal and metallurgical markets.

Of the $10 million funding, $4.5 million will support University of Kentucky research to determine how coal tar pitch, the carbon fibre precursor, can be tailored and optimised for the specific type of desired fibre. Additionally, $80,000 will go to Pennsylvania State University for material characterisation.

The post New Funding Awarded to Develop Coal-derived Carbon Fibres appeared first on Composites Today.

Arlington Capital Partners is a Washington, DC-based private equity firm that is focused on investing in growth industries including aerospace & defence, government services and technology, healthcare, and business services and software.

The operations cover approximately 800 thousand square feet of factory space and employ approximately 600 people. The composites business provides structural and engine composite fabrications and assemblies across commercial, business jet, and defence platforms. Key programs supported by the sites include Boeing 787, 777 and V-22, Airbus A320, A330 and A350, Embraer E-2, Northrop Grumman Global Hawk, as well as the Gulfstream G650/700.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in Triumph’s second quarter of FY21. Following the close of the transaction, the business will retain its management, technical and supporting staff, and will continue operations at the current facilities.

The post Triumph Group Sells off Its Composites Business appeared first on Composites Today.

We are delighted to be able to continue to build on the strong market position developed over many years by Summit Composites. We are looking forward to serving our highly valued customers and cementing a long-term sustainable presence in the Australian composites market.

Kevin Matthews, Scott Bader’s Group Chief Executive Officer

Members of the existing Summit Composites team have accepted new positions in Scott Bader Australia Pty Ltd

The post Scott Bader Acquires Summit Composites appeared first on Composites Today.

The completion of the SSAM facility makes the Al Ain manufacturer now the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)’s first supplier of aerospace-grade pre-impregnated carbon fibres and the fourth globally. The completion of the facility also marks a new chapter in Abu Dhabi’s drive towards a sustainable homegrown manufacturing sector.

The 8,500 square meter SSAM facility is currently being equipped with the latest technology and machinery prior to the testing and qualifying of processes designed to supply carbon fibre prepreg materials for primary structure applications in Boeing’s 777X programme.

The constant enhancement and expansion of Abu Dhabi’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities reflect our commitment towards product and service excellence for our partners, customers and the global market. We look forward to strengthening our global partnerships as we aim to further grow Abu Dhabi’s participation within the global aerospace supply chain.

Badr Al-Olama, Chairman of Strata and Head of Aerospace at Mubadala

The company say that key positions have already been filled and that Khalid Al Nuaimi, a Strata engineer, will head the Strata Solvay project and manage communications between the two companies, as well as execute the business plan, budget and purchasing of equipment for the facility.

Strata work with leading aircraft manufacturers, including Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo, and Pilatus. Based at Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park, Strata supports the development of a leading aerospace hub in Abu Dhabi as part of the emirate’s economic diversification initiatives.

The post Strata & Solvay Complete Construction of New Composites Facility in Al Ain appeared first on Composites Today.

Spirit will utilise the funds to build tooling, fabricate composite parts and machine complex metallic parts at its Wichita, Kan., facility. Spirit designs and manufactures both composite and metallic structures for commercial and defence customers.

With long-standing machining capabilities, Spirit produces more than 3 million parts annually for equipment manufacturers at peak production. The 5-axis centre in Wichita focuses on large, complex, soft metal parts for fuselage, pylon and wing structures, all built on high-tech, high-speed, latest-generation equipment and is part of 12M sqft of manufacturing space.

Our growing work on defence programs has provided a measure of stability for the company, and helped us as we shift capacity to serve other needs, particularly in the defence market

Duane Hawkins, Senior Vice President; President, Defense and Fabrication, Spirit AeroSystems

The company supports a number of military programs, including programs for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army.

The post Spirit AeroSystems Gets $80M in Defence Production Act Funding appeared first on Composites Today.

Materials made of composites are suited for battery enclosures for different reasons: Besides their lightweight, which enhances the electric vehicle’s range, fibre-reinforced plastics offer high stiffness. In addition, they meet high requirements for water and gas tightness and feature excellent fire protection properties. Composite materials can also help to achieve improved structural stiffness of the underbody, e.g. to protect against penetration, as well as optimised thermal management. Carbon fibres are ideal for especially stressed structures or load-bearing elements, such as the underbody panels and side frames. For components subjected to less stress, such as battery box covers, glass fibres or a fibre mix may suffice.

In addition to the new application for the hybrid model battery enclosure, SGL Carbon will continue producing the usual components made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic for the BMW i3 and delivering materials for the Carbon Core body of the BMW 7 series and has been nominated as the supplier for all carbon materials – fibres, textiles, stacks – for the BMW iNEXT, set to be launched in 2021.

Over the years SGL has supplied a number of automotive manufacturers with carbon materials and composite components, from sports car parts to large-scale deliveries of leaf springs and structural components.

The post SGL Carbon to Produce Composite Battery Enclosures for BMW appeared first on Composites Today.

Although we are disappointed with this outcome, we are confident this is the right decision for our customers, our shareholders, and our employees as it allows each of us to dedicate our focus and resources toward ensuring Woodward and Hexcel each remain strong and closely connected with our customers and supply chains during these unparalleled times

The termination was approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is in response to the increasing impact on both the aerospace and industrial sectors, and global markets broadly, resulting from the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in a need for each company to focus on its respective businesses and has impacted the companies’ ability to realize the benefits of the merger during these unprecedented times.

The post Planned Merger Between Hexcel and Woodward Cancelled appeared first on Composites Today.

As one of the largest trade show in the composites industry, JEC World brings together professionals from application sectors, experts from the scientific and academic world, associations and media from more than 112 countries.

Back in March, the company announced plans to postpone the 2020 show until May as the coronavirus pandemic was starting to spread rapidly through Europe causing travel widespread travel restrictions and containment measures.

The next JEC World trade show is scheduled to take place on March 9-11, 2021 after the company organised a survey to poll its exhibitors. The company said that all participants and partners will be contacted very soon in order to best manage the consequences of this decision.

The post JEC Group Cancels 2020 Composites Show appeared first on Composites Today.

The company will use the time to further deep clean and sanitise workspaces and facilities as they continue to take precautions to protect the health and safety of its workforce against the COVID-19 pandemic.

When production does resume on the Boeing programs, the company will align the costs and workforce to the new level of production set by Boeing. This could potentially include additional workforce actions.

Operations in support of Spirit AeroSystems defence customers, Airbus, aftermarket and MRO, third party fabrication work, other non-Boeing work, and other growth programs will continue.

The post Spirit AeroSystems Suspends Boeing Production Work appeared first on Composites Today.

Due to the nature of the business, a number of Toray employees will remain present at all times on our production sites to ensure the safety and security of our staff and facilities. In accordance with the guidelines set out by the French Government, other employees will work from home during this period or will be asked to work reduced hours. 

Under these exceptional circumstances, the company is doing everything it can to meet its customers’ requirements.

The post Toray CFE to Shut Down Carbon Fibre Production appeared first on Composites Today.