Today, advanced fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites are used in commercial and military aircraft production, launch vehicles (rockets) and satellites and every form of recreational equipment. Although the advanced composites industry is growing rapidly, the materials, and the industry that supplies them, have yet to achieve their full potential. The challenge is to expand the franchise of advanced composites beyond aerospace and recreation. The industry needs to drive growth in the application of its materials in the many emerging markets for its products (diversification) and to reduce its sensitivity towards large swings in demand. In addition, the industry must promote improved manufacturing technologies while continuing to improve product quality and application processes in order to drive down the unit cost of materials. Further, composite industries must adapt their products and processes to suit needs and economics of customers' applications. Thus, the key factors that will be bring a breakthrough beyond the current applications for advanced composites are understanding of customer needs, reducing the costs of finished components, developing new products and processes, and having critical mass. To reduce costs and top make fabrication processes more robust, fiber and polymer matrix have to be combined into a one-step component. Several potential process technologies have already been developed to meet this goal, such as RTM (resin transfer molding, RFI (resin film infusion) CRTM (continuous resin transfer molding) and Hexcel's advanced AMP process. Meeting these challenges will redefine the advanced composite industry, focusing to application and process development. The industry must be profitable in order to sustain growth and development despite any cyclical changes in aerospace demand. Financial success and strategic vision will be essential for the viability of the advanced composites industry.
The dynamics of the advanced composites industry
Chemtech ; 29 , 1 ; 46-50
1999
5 Seiten
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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