May 2024 Composites Blog
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May 13, 2024
EmpowerAX Project Wins the JEC Award for Aerospace Processes
A Group of highly influential and innovative companies in additive manufacturing and composite materials came together to develop new additive extrusion technology. The initiative is known as the EmpowerAx Project and it is being carried out by 12 international partners including Airtech, CEAD, 9T Labs, Ansys, Siemens, Ensinger, Fiberthree, Fill Gesellschaft, WEBER additive, PRIME aerostructures, Suprem and SWMS Systemtechnik Ingenieur. Through the framework of the DLR Innovation Lab, the project looked to make additive extrusion with continuous fiber reinforcement accessible to a wider range of users and more for a larger variety of applications. According to the EmpowerAX website the new technology is considered to be a “key technology for the future success of thermoplastic composites in a wide range of industrial sectors.” The website further mentions that Combining the excellent mechanical properties of continuous fibers with the design freedom offered by additive manufacturing allows the reinforcement fibers to be oriented precisely along critical load paths. This means that resilient, customized lightweight structures can be manufactured from continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. However, additive extrusion with continuous fiber reinforcement is not yet established to the same extent as conventional 3D printing. This is where EmpowerAX comes in, as an international driver in the field of additive extrusion technology.” The JEC Innovation Award was presented to the EmpowerAX team for their recent project in which they demonstrated an “industrially available process chain for local reinforcement of a multi-curved thermoset shell”. Learn more here.
May 31, 2024
New Lego-Like Composite Blocks Have Applications in Construction
New Lego-Like Composite Blocks Have Applications in Construction
RENCO spent over a decade developing its mineral composite fiber-reinforced construction blocks and it finally secured approval from the IBC and IRC. The proprietary composite material is composed of repurposed glass fibers, resin, recycled plastic, and limestone fused with a methyl methacrylate bonding agent. The material is cost-effective, and it can be produced rather quickly and effortlessly. The material is also more environmentally friendly than traditional construction materials, due to its reduced carbon footprint. But what is truly impressive about these composite blocks is their strength and durability. RENCO claims that the composite material is resistant to water, fire, and mold. Additionally, it is rated to be able to withstand a category 5 hurricane. The compression molded blocks are provided for residential buildings as well as for commercial projects. Apparently, an entire structure can be built using RENCO’s composite building blocks. Everything from walls to composite decking. Other available components include composite roof trusses and sheathing. RENCO co- founder Thomas P. Murphy, Jr mentioned, “The construction industry has never seen anything like RENCO before. For the past 100 years, we’ve always built with concrete, wood and steel. RENCO is a breakthrough in construction technology because it is stronger, easier to build with and uses recycled materials.” Learn more about this topic here.
