Future Development Trends of Carbon Fiber Composite Materials

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites (CFRP), as highly engineered materials, have high specific modulus and high specific strength. They are very suitable for applications with critical requirements for high strength and stiffness, lower weight, and excellent fatigue characteristics.

Aerospace: The use of CFRP composite materials in aircraft began with auxiliary structures such as ailerons, trim plates, and rudder. CFRP exhibits excellent mechanical properties, such as high strength to weight ratio and high stiffness to weight ratio. With the advancement of technology, the performance of fibers and matrix has been significantly improved, thereby enhancing the performance of laminated panels, enabling this material to be applied to major aircraft structures such as fuselage, vertical tail, tail box, and wings, and replacing traditional lightweight metal alloys.

carbon fiber demand in aerospace-trend

Wind turbine applications: The use of carbon fiber in wind turbine applications is increasing. Carbon fiber has a significant advantage over glass fiber because it has a higher specific tensile modulus (>3 times), higher specific tensile strength, and higher fatigue resistance. The known advantages of carbon fiber are its increased stiffness to weight ratio (as a reinforcement material for 57 meter long blades, which is 4 times higher than alkali free glass fiber, equivalent to a 27% weight reduction) and blade design that achieves slender length using fewer shell materials, thinner airfoils, and better aerodynamic performance.

Automobiles: Carbon fiber has never left the automotive industry, and with stricter global automotive emission standards and the rapid growth of electric vehicles, the industry is using carbon fiber to reduce weight. Therefore, the use of lightweight materials such as CFRP composite materials in automotive structures is the most direct method of weight reduction.

Carbon fiber demand in Auto-Trend

Architecture: The application of carbon fiber composite materials in architecture mainly includes the reinforcement of buildings and bridges, maintenance and repair of pipelines, new building components, bridge decks, cables, and beams.At the same time, carbon fiber composite materials are very effective for the structural renovation and repair of aging buildings, bridges, pipelines, etc.

Carbon Fiber Demand in Construction-Trend