Fiberglass siding has two primary applications. It is used in situations where there is a highly-corrosive environment (such as a fertilizer facility or salt shed) and when building owners want natural light to shine in their facilities. Though there hasn’t been much of a change in general fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) use, one area where... »

The Formula One (F1) industry is one of the more extensive users of composite materials, as the lightweight nature of composites aids greatly in race teams looking to clock the quickest time. But can F1’s unique composite techniques trickle down to the mainstream automotive industry? »

Gordon Brown is a veteran of the composites industry, having worked at Strongwell, Owens Corning and Hexcel. Now a consultant, he developed the process behind Flexi-StiX, an idea to take extruded PVC tubing and give it structural purposes. Though the product could be used in many potential markets, it is initially being targeted in... »

This week in composites industry news: A federal grant to Missouri’s DOT will build three bridges with hybric composite beams (HCB). Start-up New Wind Solutions plans to manufacture carbon fiber blades in Walla Walla, Wash. Chem-Trend celebrates 50 years in business this year. Boral Composites is building a plant in North Carolina to produce a new green... »

Did you happen to have a busy month in July? If so, that doesn't mean you have to miss what everyone else in the industry is talking about, or reading. »

When companies make new products or materials, testing is an important part of the development process. Manufacturers may know their carbon fiber or thermoplastic composites function well, but they might also consider how they hold up in tensile testing, thermal analysis and defect evaluation. Many labs across the country offer these services for manufacturers,... »