#composite materials

This week, we’re celebrating National Composites Week, which CompositesWorld says is about shedding some light on how “composite materials and composites manufacturing contributes to the products and structures that shape the American manufacturing landscape today.”

What exactly are composites and why are we talking about them?

Composites are building materials that we use to make airplanes, spacecraft and structures or instruments, such as space telescopes. But why are they special?

Composites consist of two or more materials, similar to a sandwich. Each ingredient in a sandwich could be eaten individually, but combining them is when the real magic happens. Sure, you could eat a few slices of cold cheese chased with some floppy bread. But real talk: buttery, toasted bread stuffed with melty, gooey Gouda makes a grilled cheese a much more satisfying nosh.

With composites—like our sandwich—the different constituent parts each have special properties that are enhanced when combined. Take carbon fibers which are strong and rigid. Their advantage compared to other structural materials is that they are much lighter than metals like steel and aluminum. However, in order to build structures with carbon fibers, they have to be held together by another material, which is referred to as a matrix. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer is a composite consisting of carbon fibers set in a plastic matrix, which yields an extremely strong, lightweight, high-performing material for spacecraft.

Composites can also be found on the James Webb Space Telescope. They support the telescope’s beryllium mirrors, science instruments and thermal control systems and must be exquisitely stable to keep the segments aligned.

We invest in a variety of composite technology research to advance the use of these innovative materials in things like fuel tanks on spacecraft, trusses or structures and even spacesuits. Here are a few exciting ways our Space Technology Mission Directorate is working with composites:

Deployable structures on small spacecraft

We’re developing deployable composite booms for future deep space small satellite missions. These new structures are being designed to meet the unique requirements of small satellites, things like the ability to be packed into very small volumes and stored for long periods of time without getting distorted.

A new project, led by our Langley Research Center and Ames Research Center, called the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System will test deployment of a composite boom solar sail system in low-Earth orbit. This mission will demonstrate the first use of composite booms for a solar sail in orbit as well as new sail packing and deployment systems.

Nano (teeny tiny) composites

We are working alongside 11 universities, two companies and the Air Force Research Laboratory through the Space Technology Research Institute for Ultra-Strong Composites by Computational Design (US-COMP). The institute is receiving $15 million over five years to accelerate carbon nanotube technologies for ultra-high strength, lightweight aerospace structural materials. This institute engages 22 professors from universities across the country to conduct modeling and experimental studies of carbon nanotube materials on an atomistic molecular level, macro-scale and in between. Through collaboration with industry partners, it is anticipated that advances in laboratories could quickly translate to advances in manufacturing facilities that will yield sufficient amounts of advanced materials for use in NASA missions.

Through Small Business Innovative Research contracts, we’ve also invested in Nanocomp Technologies, Inc., a company with expertise in carbon nanotubes that can be used to replace heavier materials for spacecraft, defense platforms, and other commercial applications.

Nanocomp’s Miralon™ YM yarn is made up of pure carbon nanotube fibers that can be used in a variety of applications to decrease weight and provide enhanced mechanical and electrical performance. Potential commercial use for Miralon yarn includes antennas, high frequency digital/signal and radio frequency cable applications and embedded electronics. Nanocomp worked with Lockheed Martin to integrate Miralon sheets into our Juno spacecraft.

Composites for habitats

At last spring’s 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge the top two teams used composite materials in their winning habitat submissions. The multi-phase competition challenged teams to 3D print one-third scale shelters out of recyclables and materials that could be found on deep space destinations, like the Moon and Mars.

After 30 hours of 3D-printing over four days of head-to-head competition, the structures were subjected to several tests and evaluated for material mix, leakage, durability and strength. New York-based AI. SpaceFactory won first place using a polylactic acid plastic, similar to materials available for Earth-based, high-temperature 3D printers.

This material was infused with micro basalt fibers as well, and the team was awarded points during judging because major constituents of the polylactic acid material could be extracted from the Martian atmosphere.

Second place was awarded to Pennsylvania State University who utilized a mix of Ordinary Portland Cement, a small amount of rapid-set concrete, and basalt fibers, with water.

These innovative habitat concepts will not only further our deep space exploration goals, but could also provide viable housing solutions right here on Earth.

Student research in composites

We are also supporting the next generation of engineers, scientists and technologists working on composites through our Space Technology Research Grants. Some recently awarded NASA Space Technology Fellows—graduate students performing groundbreaking, space technology research on campus, in labs and at NASA centers—are studying the thermal conductivity of composites and an optimized process for producing carbon nanotubes and clean energy.

We work with composites in many different ways in pursuit of our exploration goals and to improve materials and manufacturing for American industry. If you are a company looking to participate in National Composites Week, visit: https://www.nationalcompositesweek.com.

Day 2/ 100

So I got up early today (and feel very proud of myself for it) and went into uni a bit early to get some work done.

First order of the day (as it is most days, have to be honest) was to get some tea from the Uni cafe. It ought to be a truth universally acknowldged that a student about to study must be in want of a hot drink of their choosing.

Spent around two hours revising some micromechanics and Weibull analysis (should be getting into the tougher stuff soon). Then after a lecture went to see how my glass turned out.

The Wind Blade Bonding Adhesives market is a complex and dynamic sector that reflects the shifting priorities of the global energy and chemical industries. Today, there is a much greater emphasis on "process efficiency" as manufacturers look to reduce the time a blade spends in the mold. This shift is forcing adhesive companies to innovate at a faster pace, developing products that can cure quickly at room temperature without sacrificing mechanical strength. To succeed, adhesive firms must not only provide high-performance chemicals but also offer technical expertise in application methods, helping their clients navigate the high-speed requirements of modern wind turbine manufacturing.

In the regional context, the Wind Blade Bonding Adhesives industry continues to be one of the most attractive destinations for specialty chemical investment. The Wind Blade Bonding Adhesives market was valued at USD 773.2 Million in 2024 and is estimated to reach a value of USD 1,316.8 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period. This growth is largely driven by the expansion of repowering projects, where older turbine nacelles and blades are replaced with new, more efficient versions while keeping the existing towers. This "brownfield" development is creating a massive demand for new bonding adhesives to support the installation of larger blades on existing sites.

However, the industry must navigate several Wind Blade Bonding Adhesives market challenges, including the logistical difficulty of transporting large quantities of reactive chemicals across borders. As global supply chains face increasing scrutiny, the need for localized production and reliable distribution networks is becoming more pressing. The Wind Blade Bonding Adhesives industry is responding by building new production facilities closer to major wind blade manufacturing clusters. These efforts are essential for ensuring that the Wind Blade Bonding Adhesives market growth remains stable and that manufacturers have consistent access to the materials they need to meet their production targets.

The Wind Blade Bonding Adhesives market opportunity is also rising in the field of thermoplastic composites. These materials are easier to recycle than traditional thermosets, but they require different bonding techniques. The Wind Blade Bonding Adhesives market insights suggest that manufacturers who can offer specialized adhesives for thermoplastic blades will be able to capture a unique and growing market segment. The Wind Blade Bonding Adhesives market share is therefore becoming more specialized as players focus on the specific needs of different composite systems and manufacturing methods, from vacuum infusion to automated fiber placement.

In the advanced materials sector, the convergence of fiber technology and polymer science is opening new frontiers in product performance. For manufacturers of technical textiles, geomembranes, and protective fabrics, textile plastic coextrusion represents a transformative production methodology. By simultaneously extruding polymer layers directly onto or between textile substrates, manufacturers achieve superior bonding, enhanced barrier properties, and structural reinforcement that neither material could deliver independently.

The HZH Technical Processing Edge

HZH specializes in engineering coextrusion systems capable of handling the complex interface between polymer melts and textile substrates. We design precision die heads and tension control systems that ensure uniform polymer penetration and consistent lamination across the full web width.

Our machinery is built for versatile operation, accommodating a range of polymers and fabric constructions. Partner with HZH to pioneer composite manufacturing solutions that define the next generation of technical materials.

In the world of industrial composites, choosing the right material is crucial for performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Among the most trusted and widely used materials are G10 and G11 epoxy fiberglass laminates. While they share many similarities, their differences, particularly in temperature resistance and durability, are critical for specific applications. At QUANDA Plastic, with our…

In the field of chemical materials, epoxy resin stands out as a high-performance thermosetting polymer renowned for its excellent adhesion, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength. With the rise of global industrial transformation and sustainability initiatives, the future development of epoxy resin is drawing significant attention. This article explores the current market landscape,…