This section provides an overview for carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (cfrps) as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 5 carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (cfrp) manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (cfrp) companies as of November, 2024: 1.Beck Engineering, Inc., 2.Sika AG, 3.Ensinger.
Table of Contents
Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is a composite material that enhances the strength of plastics like epoxy and phenolic resin by integrating carbon fibers.
Known also as carbon fiber reinforced plastics, CFRP is a composite material where carbon fibers and plastics are mechanically combined without a chemical reaction. It is utilized in modern aircraft fuselages and automotive bodies, combining the strengths of carbon fibers and plastics. Carbon fibers provide exceptional tensile strength, while plastics offer weight reduction and ease of molding.
CFRP, merging the benefits of carbon fibers and plastics, is popular for its moldability, lightweight durability, and versatility. However, recycling CFRP, comprising two different materials, is challenging, and technologies are being developed to facilitate this.
CFRP enables the manufacture of products and components that are lighter and stronger than metals. Its versatility has led to its use in replacing metal components in various sectors.
Initially, CFRP was used in sports equipment like fishing rods and golf club shafts. In the automotive industry, it reduces vehicle weight, contributing to lower fuel consumption and environmental impact. In aviation, like Boeing's 787, CFRP is crucial for aircraft bodies and wings, significantly reducing weight.
CFRP is also utilized in Formula 1 racing, where its lightness is essential for speed, and in aerospace and construction sectors.
CFRP combines carbon fibers and plastic. Carbon fibers are produced by heating materials such as acrylic fibers, leaving primarily carbon atoms strongly bonded. Manufacturing methods include the PAN, carbide, and Reynolds methods.
The PAN method uses polyacrylonitrile (PAN), while the carbide method employs organic materials. The Reynolds method involves reducing methanol or ethanol using a metal catalyst and water vapor at high temperatures.
Carbon fibers are available as single fibers, short fibers, fabrics, and non-woven fabrics, each offering different strengths and moldabilities. Fabrics and non-woven fabrics provide additional strength and versatility for complex shapes.
When selecting CFRP, consider factors like lightness, heat resistance, durability, and ease of processing. The choice depends on the required specifications for the product.
Challenges in detecting internal damage and repairing partially damaged CFRP components often necessitate replacement at the component level. Recycling and disposal considerations are also important.
Common plastics in CFRP include epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, and polyester resin. Each offers unique benefits: epoxy for strength, phenolic for heat resistance, polyamide for impact resistance, and polyester for weather resistance.
Manufacturing CFRP involves cutting and treating carbon fibers, impregnating them with resin, layering, and then molding under heat and pressure. Advanced manufacturing methods like automated fiber placement (AFP) and automatic tape layup (ATL) further enhance CFRP applications.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Ensinger, founded in 1966 in Germany as solely a manufacturer of plastics for commercial customers, has grown to manufacture performance and engineering thermoplastics for numerous industries worldwide. The company's products include plastic compounds, extruded semi-finished products, injection-molded finished parts, as well as compressed and cast-formed parts. Ensinger serves the plant engineering, building construction, automotive, aerospace, medical, and food markets, among many other industries. The company has over 30 international production and sales locations, serving customers across the globe.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation was founded in 1933 and has a head office in Tokyo, Japan. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation provides products including chemicals, industrial gases, and health care products to customers globally. Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s performance products division manufactures and distributes. functional food materials, electronic and electrical components, specialty chemicals, and other products. Mitsubishi Chemical health care products include pharmaceuticals, drug discovery solutions, diagnostic reagents, and instruments for medical use. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation also provides other services such as engineering, information systems, logistics, and consulting.
SGL Carbon is located in Wiesbaden, Germany, and is a manufacturer and supplier of graphite as well as composite materials and products founded in 1992 following the merger between SIGRI GmbH and Great Lakes Carbon. The company primarily produces carbon fibers and composites for the aerospace, energy, and automotive sectors. It also offers specialty graphite products for industrial applications such as for battery production, and application-specific process technology plants, such as for industrial pumping or turbine operations. The company is ISO 13485:2016, UL, and CSA-certified, and serves clients in the industrial processing and energy sectors.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Beck Engineering, Inc. |
26.0%
|
2 | Sika AG |
24.7%
|
3 | Ensinger |
22.1%
|
4 | Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation |
14.3%
|
5 | SGL Carbon |
13.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (cfrp) page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Germany | 2 | 66.7% |
Japan | 1 | 33.3% |