Conventional carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) requires at least five minutes to be molded into an automotive part, which has limited its use to high-end vehicles. The Teijin Group, Tokyo, Japan, now has the capacity to mass produce CFRP that can be molded in less than one minute, a development that may expand the use of composites in vehicle design and manufacture. The process uses an alternative to thermosetting resins and allows production of three new types of intermediate materials by impregnating carbon fiber with a thermoplastic resin. These three materials include unidirectional arrangement of carbon fibers; isotropic design for shape, flexibility and multidirectional strength; and a long-fiber thermoplastic pellet suited for injection molding of complex parts. The company also has developed methods to weld thermoplastic CFRP parts with materials such as steel, to reduce the use of metal in the vehicle manufacturing process. Teijin recently established a new carbon fibers and composites business group.
Teijin mass produces carbon reinforced plastic
Industry News, Markets | May 1, 2011 | By: ATA
You might also like...
2024 Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Award winners announced
FabricLink Network announces development of The Textile Gateway
DITF and VRETENA win Cellulose Fiber Innovation of the Year 2024 Award
New DHS textile enforcement plan cracks down on illicit trade
NCTO praises DHS textile, apparel enforcement plan
Fashion for Good welcomes 10 companies to 2024 Innovation Program