Aerospace-grade composites can improve custom prosthetics by combining high strength, low weight, fatigue resistance, and greater design flexibility. Carbon- and glass-fiber-reinforced materials allow manufacturers to tailor an artificial limb for structural performance, durability, comfort, and individual user requirements. Why does material selection matter so much in prosthetic design? More than 2.5 billion people worldwide need […]
Carbon fiber offers the highest stiffness-to-weight ratio, ideal when rigidity and mass reduction matter most. Unidirectional fiberglass costs less and handles impact better, making it the stronger choice for budget-conscious or crash-absorbing parts. A carbon-fiberglass hybrid often captures the best of both, placing carbon along load paths and glass where cost or impact tolerance matter […]
Manufacturers looking to reduce production costs should not assume that heavier prepreg materials automatically deliver better value. In many cases, lighter materials improve layup precision, reduce waste, shorten production times, and lower the risk of defects that require costly rework. Although heavier fabrics can appear less expensive at first glance, total manufacturing costs are often […]
Carbon weave distortions can quietly compromise aerospace structural tolerances by changing fiber alignment, reducing dimensional accuracy, and creating weak points that affect part performance. Identifying and correcting these subtle defects during manufacturing helps maintain strength, consistency, and compliance with strict aerospace quality standards. Picture a technician studying a freshly cured composite panel. It appears flawless […]
Drone arm vibration can shorten component life, reduce flight stability, and affect payload accuracy. A Kevlar composite frame helps absorb damaging vibrations while maintaining strength with minimal added weight, making it a smart choice for demanding UAV applications. The International Organization for Standardization introduced ISO 5309:2023 to standardize vibration testing for small unmanned aircraft, according to […]
SMI Composites will attend CAMX 2026 in Atlanta this September. We will be joining professionals from across the composites industry to explore new technologies, exchange ideas, and discuss what is next for advanced composite manufacturing. As demand grows for lightweight, durable, and high-performance materials, events like CAMX provide an opportunity to see how the industry […]
Kevlar vs. carbon fiber comes down to how a part fails under load. Carbon fiber wins on stiffness and weight, while Kevlar wins where a part must absorb a sudden hit without shattering, as in body armor and protective gear. The Department of Energy reports that carbon fiber composites weigh half as much as steel […]
Carbon fiber armor gives tactical exoskeletons real protection without the added weight that limits mobility and drains power. Its high strength-to-weight ratio lets engineers lower structural mass, extend battery life, and reduce strain on actuators. Grand View Research reports the global exoskeleton market will grow by US$1,095.6 million between 2026 and 2033, at a 14.5% […]
Recycled carbon fiber retains most of the strength and stiffness of virgin fiber, making it a practical structural material rather than a downgrade. It performs best in secondary applications like interior panels, brackets, and non-structural automotive components, where full virgin-grade certification is not required. A report by Astute Analytica, shared by GlobeNewswire, reveals that nearly […]
Radiolucency in carbon fiber improves image clarity in oncology and X-ray imaging beds. It reduces radiation artifacts that can distort diagnostic images during scans. It also supports heavier patient weights without compromising stability or imaging performance. According to Precedence Research, the U.S. medical composites market was valued at $502.04 million in 2025 and is projected […]
