Composites Manufacturing at ACI 
Scanning through the links below, one can navigate to any of the different pages regarding ACI manufacturing. Whether viewing information about processes, various materials used to create ACI products, industries served (medical, defense, etc.), or facilities, you’ll find what you’re looking for when browsing these pages.
Filament Winding
Filament winding is a type of fabrication technique that focuses on constructing cylindrical shapes like round or square tubes, pressure vessels, or more complex shapes. The process includes winding filaments under tension over a rotating mandrel, generally mixed with a specialized resin matrix to form a composite laminate. Read more at Filament Winding.
Compression Molding
Compression molding is a manufacturing process applying significant heat and pressure to create complex composite structures with great strength and at near net shape. Read more at Compression Molding.
Layup Manufacturing
The simplest and most primary fabrication technique for thermoset composites is called hand lay-up, which consists of laying down dry material layers, or “plies,” or prepreg plies, by hand specifically onto a certain tool to build a laminate stack. A mix or types of mixes of resin is laid on the dry plies after layup is complete. (resin infusion). Read more at composite layup.
Reaction Injection Molding
Reaction injection molding, also known as RIM processing can be comparable to injection molding barring thermosetting polymers being used, which mandates curing reaction to occur within the mold. Different items made via RIM can include items for defense and commercial uses. Read more at reaction injection molding.
Types of Materials Used
Carbon Fiber Composites Manufacturing
Carbon Fiber strengthened polymers are composited materials. With this type of composite manufacturing, it comprises of dualistic parts: a matrix and a fortification. This reinforcement is carbon fiber, which delivers the substantial strength without the weight factor. The matrix is typically the polymer resin, to fuse the dualistic parts together. Read more about Carbon Fiber.
Fiberglass Composites
Interestingly enough, fiber glass is actually little fibers of glass and due to this, glass fiber is often called “fiberglass.” The composite term is “fiberglass reinforced plastic.” This process is unique in itself and has complex processes to be followed. Read more about Fiberglass Composites.
Aramid Composites
Aramid fibers, commonly known as “aromatic polyamide”, are heat-resistant and incredibly strong synthetic fibers. Mainly used for aerospace, deep space, and military applications. In the military, aramid fibers are used for armor fabric and ballistic properties. They can also be found in bicycle tires and can even substitute for asbestos. Read more about Aramid Composites.
Specialized Composites Material (Resins)
ACI has a number of fabricated and specialized composites materials that are made from chemically bonded, polymeric materials. Once the correct substances are mixed and combined, this allows other reactions to happened and start certain processes of composites manufacturing. Read more about specialized composites materials. Read more about resins.
