Composites

IDTechEx calculated that this industry received over $100m in investment in 2019. There are very good reasons for both the composite and 3D printing industry to be excited.

Advancements in material science and material processing will always play a central role in any technological progression. IDTechEx has been providing leading market analysis on a broad range of advanced materials and their technology analysts have given their pick of the key news stories from 2018.

3D printing of composites is perceived as a crucial future iteration for many forms of 3D printing. With this in mind, the annual IDTechEx Show, taking place on 14-15 Nov in Santa Clara, CA, will host a dedicated session for this class of materials.

In the aerospace sector reducing the weight is one of the greatest constant priorities. Due to the high technical requirements, economic and legislative drivers, and relatively deep pockets, aerospace is often the first significant adopter of emerging lightweight materials. This article highlights some of these materials at different stages of technology readiness and suggests what their initial application will be.

A new two-part webinar from IDTechEx is available on Additive Manufacturing and Lightweight Materials for Aerospace and Defense.

The aerospace sector was one of the earliest and most significant adopters of CFRP material. However, this dominance is under threat with emerging metal alloys and additive manufacturing some of the key contenders.

In IDTechEx Research's latest report Additive Manufacturing and Lightweight Materials for Aerospace and Defense 2018-2028, the focus is on advanced lightweight materials and the rise of additive manufacturing.

The need for lightweighting is paramount across numerous sectors and understanding the material solutions has left a significant amount of uncertainty and potential opportunities.

IDTechEx are hosting a free webinar on Thursday 29 March titled The Increasingly Significant Role of Lightweight Metals 2018-2028.

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have been known and explored for a very long time, but new innovations and an increased demand for high-performance lightweight materials means that they are finally ready to make it beyond their previous false starts.