Filament Winding: A Time-Tested Process for Strong, Lightweight Composites
Filament winding has been a key process for creating composite products for over 70 years, known for producing structures that are both strong and lightweight in a quick and cost-effective manner. Today, modernized filament winding techniques are used to manufacture a wide range of products across various industries.
How Filament Winding Works
Filament winding is a multi-step process where continuous composite filaments are first impregnated with resin in a bath. The resin-soaked filaments are then wound onto a mandrel, which determines the final product’s shape and size. Once the correct size is reached, the product is cut, and the mandrel is removed.
Applications Across Industries
Originally developed for manufacturing solid rocket motor cases post-World War II, filament winding is now used in several industries, including recreation, automotive, marine, and aerospace. Some of the products created through this process include:
- Golf club shafts
- Automobile drive shafts
- Sailboat masts
- Oars and paddles for small boats
- Small aircraft fuselages
- Spacecraft structures
- Pressure vessels, such as firefighter oxygen bottles
This list only scratches the surface of what’s possible with filament winding. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect this process to help create even more innovative composite products in the future.
Tritium: Leading Composite Materials Distribution in North America
For businesses using filament winding to create composite products, reliable access to quality materials is crucial. Tritium is proud to lead North America in composite material distribution, offering a vast inventory of supplies from over 600 suppliers.
With facilities across the United States and Canada, we ensure that your business has a steady stream of composite materials, delivered locally and on time. Reach out to our dedicated team to learn more about the composite material supplies that can support your business.