Engineering Materials

Engineering materials is a discussion led by Design News Contributing Materials Editor Doug Smock on important new developments and applications that affect mechanical design. Metals covered include all types of steel and nonferrous metals, in all shapes. Resins covered include nylons, polycarbonates, polysulfides, polyimides, and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Other materials covered include ceramics and rubber. Topics covered include materials enhancement, new applications, process technology, tooling, sustainability, and economic issues. Posts will include latest news from global events such as K 2007, the Alliance of Plastics Processors Annual Conference, the National Plastics Exposition, and the annual technical conference (ANTEC) of the Society of Plastics Engineers.

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Monday, April 30, 2007

Boeing Dreamliner Drives Carbon Fiber Composites

One of outcomes of the drive to reduce fuel consumption will be a major drive to composites. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner will improve fuel efficiency 20 percent through use of composites in half of its structure. All of the material is coming, at least for now, from Toray Industries, the world’s largest supplier of PAN-based carbon fiber. Toray says demand for the material is growing at a 15 per cent annual rate, with much of the immediate push coming from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. But Toray says a major demand developing from auto producers, which are already experimenting with high-tech thermoplastic composites. The carbon fiber matrices will also be used more in CNG tanks. Prices of the materials are soaring, and there have been reports of supply constraints. Toray is spending close to $1 billion now to boost capacity.

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(Add your comments)

at 8/10/2007 9:21:25 AM, Glenn Grafton said:
The news of Boeing using carbon fiber in their latest jets is very interesting to me as it relates to a product we carry. Our company Grafton Piano & Organ carries Kawai Pianos. A few years ago Kawai introduced their Millenium III actions www.kawaius.com/main_links/abs/absc_main.html. Pianos have traditionally used wood action parts. Wood is susceptible to dimensional changes based on humidity. Just about all of the advantages that Boeing mentions apply to a piano action

at 11/20/2007 9:20:19 AM, SPENCER said:
Tie the knot

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