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Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : How important have composite materials been during the history of mankind?

April 11, 2026

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share 📢 Time to get technical... 📢 How important have composite materials been during the history of mankind? This schematic shows the relative importance of the four classes of materials (metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics) in engineering as a function of time! 😮 Composites have been part of human engineering for thousands of years. But their role stayed relatively modest… until fiberglass changed the game. Since the 1960s, composites have moved from niche solutions to core engineering materials. Enabling lighter structures, higher performance, and designs that simply aren’t possible with monolithic materials. 💡 That steady rise in relevance isn’t accidental. It reflects how modern engineering thinks: optimize, tailor, and do more with less. So let’s open the discussion: What should define the next decade of composite materials and where should innovation focus next? Source: Material Selection in Mechanical Design / 4th Edition, Michael F. Ashby cre...

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗟𝘁𝗱, 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

April 11, 2026

Founded in 1997 as the UK distributor of #Sicomin #epoxyresin systems, #MatrixComposite Materials has grown into a specialist distributor of materials for high-performance, epoxy-based composite manufacturing, including glass and carbon fibre reinforcements, core materials, and vacuum consumables, held in stock at its Bristol facility for immediate dispatch. Matrix holds UK distribution agreements with Armacell (PET foam), Amorim CoreCork, and 3D-Core, and is an approved reseller for LYB (LyondellBasell) Quantum-ESC forged carbon SMC. The company also distributes #multiaxialfabrics , wovens, and unidirectional materials in E-glass and carbon from manufacturers including Sky Advanced Materials and Vitrulan Composites, as well as products under its own Matrix brand. Matrix serves composite manufacturers across automotive, marine, motorsport, industrial, offshore, and chemical processing markets, and is recognised for the depth of technical and application support i...

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝘄-𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼-𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹－𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

April 10, 2026

Toray Industries announced today that it has developed a photo-definable polyimide sealing material for #microelectromechanicalsystems (MEMS) devices, which integrate electronic circuits and mechanical structures using #semiconductor microfabrication technology. The new material is based on the company’s #SEMICOFINE® non-photo-definable #polyimide and #PHOTONEECE® photo-definable polyimide, used to insulate semiconductors and displays. Toray’s new material enables integrated fine-pattern formation and bonding with photolithography, and would provide sealing for hollow structure fabrication for MEMS devices. These devices use hollow structures so parts can move freely or serve as voids to block external disturbances. Gold is a traditional #sealing material for these structures because it provides excellent sealing and thermal resistance. A need to cut material costs and improve design flexibility, however, is driving research into resin-based sealing technologies. Epoxy r...

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 : 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

April 10, 2026

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 Polymers are essential materials in modern medical device design due to their versatility, biocompatibility, and ease of processing. From catheters and syringes to intraocular lenses and implants, the choice of polymer depends on key properties such as flexibility, transparency, chemical resistance, and sterilization compatibility. Common sterilization methods include ethylene oxide (EtO), gamma radiation, and steam sterilization (autoclaving). Each method must be selected based on the polymer’s thermal and chemical stability. Selecting the right polymer and sterilization process ensures safety, functionality, and durability of medical devices during clinical use. #MedicalPolymers #MedicalDevices #PolymerScience source : Roberto YAÑEZ

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗗𝗚𝗘 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 : 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄… 𝗰𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀?

April 10, 2026

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗗𝗚𝗘 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 🔧 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄… 𝗰𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀? In scientific molding, cavity pressure is the most accurate real-time indicator of what's actually happening inside the mold, not just what the press thinks is happening. By monitoring pressure inside the cavity (not just nozzle or injection pressure), you can: 1. Detect short shots, flash, or stuck parts instantly 2. Fine-tune switchover timing (transfer from fill to pack) 3. Set real, repeatable process limits that reflect mold behavior 4. Catch subtle defects before they become scrap It’s one of the most powerful and under utilized tools in precision injection molding. Cavity pressure sensors don’t make your process better, they reveal whether it actually is better. Ever used them in a validation or troubleshooting process? source : Justin Church #InjectionMolding ...

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 : 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛𝐮𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐧 '𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐟𝐟-𝐍𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝟏𝟗𝟎𝟏

April 10, 2026

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛𝐮𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐧 '𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐟𝐟-𝐍𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝟏𝟗𝟎𝟏 Stereochemistry Methane was known to consist of four atoms of hydrogen and one of carbon. It had also been determined that it was a symmetrical compound, meaning that in chemical reactions, other chemicals did not discriminate as to which hydrogen atom they would react to. Van 't Hoff quickly concluded that the only spatial arrangement consistent with this finding was one where the carbon atom lay at the center of a regular tetrahedron with each of the other four molecules at a corner of the tetrahedron. This was the first peek that scientists had ventured to take into the three-dimensional structure of molecules. Van 't Hoff claimed as the inspiration for his discovery, Johannes Wislicenus's studies on lactic acid, in which he declares that differences in some chemical properties may be attributable to structural differences in their molec...