May 2022 Composites Blog
May 10, 2022
Innovations in Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bicycle Frame Production
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) bicycle frames are lighter than frames made from other common materials and demand for them is growing in both the European and North American cycling markets. Nearly 99% of CFRP frames are produced by Asian manufacturers yet smaller scale manufacturers in North America and Europe are working on innovative manufacturing processes. Where many Asian manufacturers rely on post-molding labor, American manufacturers are focusing on refining the pre-molding processes, decreasing the amount of necessary labor. Argonaut Cycles (Bend, Oregon) has implemented a unique, patented high pressure silicon molding approach to reduce fiber distortion, which additionally reduces the need for post-molding labor significantly. Belgium-based Rein4ced is one of the only manufacturers to develop an automated process (in addition to a new material making use of advances in thermoplastic materials and reinforcing fibers). Larger scale automation of CFRP frames appears to be on the horizon but it is uncertain whether such advances will be made in the next few years or as far off as a decade. Read more here.
May 23, 2022
Fiberon Building a New Production Facility to Meet the Demand for PE Composite Decking
Fiberon Building a New Production Facility to Meet the Demand for PE Composite Decking
North Carolina-based Fiberon LLC has begun construction on a new manufacturing facility in Columbia, TN that will house the company's production of their composite decking materials. Fiberon is a leading manufacturer of outdoor home improvement products. According to their Senior Product Manager, Jim Strange, their PE composite decking, railing, and cladding make up approximately 75% of the wood-alternative market. Given the increasing demand for outdoor living products, Fiberon is aiming to increase the availability of its composite decking. Their PE composite decking contains at least 94% recycled material, so the new manufacturing plant will have an on-site recycling facility capable of converting baled plastic waste into useful pellets. The facility will feature state-of-the-art technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency, and the production lines will have updated programming to improve automation and efficiency. The facility is scheduled to open in 2024 and will bring around 300 new jobs to Columbia. Read more here.
