Carbon Fiber vs. Carbon: What’s the Difference?

Contents

Introduction
Overview
1: Carbon
2: Carbon Fiber
- Key Characteristics
3: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and Carbon Fiber Composite Materials
Manufacturing Method
Summary

Introduction

For materials that deliver weight reductions, you are likely to hear many terms such as carbon, carbon fiber, carbon fiber reinforced plastic/polymer, or carbon composites. These materials are often introduced as lightweight and strong substitutes for metals. But what do we know about these materials and what is the difference?

Overview

This issue explores these various terms and jargon.

1: Carbon

Carbon is a chemical element with the atomic number six and elemental symbol C. It is derived from the French word carbone (Latin origin: carbo, “coal/charcoal”). The naturally occurring allotropes (forms) of carbon range from hard diamond to soft graphite, for which it is most widely known.

2: Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber is a thin filament produced by carbonizing organic polymers such as acrylic or petroleum, coal, or tar pitch by-products, at high temperatures. Carbon fiber produced with acrylic fiber is classified as polyacrylonitrile-based (PAN), while those made from pitch are classified as pitch-based carbon fiber. These lightweight and strong materials being leveraged in various industries including aviation, automobile, and sports equipment.

Key Characteristics

One-fourth the specific gravity of iron.
Ten times the specific strength of iron.
Seven times the specific modulus of elasticity, compared to iron.

Carbon is a thin filament that cannot retain its shape on its own. It is generally combined with plastics such as resin.

3: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and Carbon Fiber Composite Materials

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic is typically referred to by its acronym CFRP and, as the name implies, is a plastic that is reinforced with carbon fibers. In other words, CFRP is a type of composite material that is constituted from above mentioned carbon fibers and plastic. Consequently, the terms, “carbon fiber reinforced plastic” and “carbon fiber composites” are similar in meaning and often used interchangeably.

The initial letter refers to the type of fiber used; C being carbon, G being glass fibers, and A being aramid fibers. Since CFRPs are composed from a combination of reinforcing fibers and resin (plastic), they are referred to as a “composite” or “composite material”.

Manufacturing Method

CFRP is known for its many unique qualities. But what kind of manufacturing processes are used to create this fascinating product? Next up, we will introduce the general flow of autoclave molding, the golden standard method used to produce high-quality CFRP.

Summary

We hope this issue offered a clearer understanding of the various jargon surrounding carbon and weight-reducing materials. While applauded as a highly advanced material, the details of CFRP remain somewhat obscure and hard to fully understand. The key features of CFRP are its superior “lightweight, strong, and non-corrosive” properties. However, these impressive advantages are sided with several downfalls, such as manufacturing complexity and challenges with cost reduction, mass production, and recyclability. We urge you to consider adopting CFRP or GFRP for your next project with a full understanding of both aspects.

ABOUT UCHIDA - 55 years since our founding

We leverage a wealth of technical expertise as a CFRP molding and processing manufacturer using FRP, GFRP, and CFRP materials. We offer a one-stop solution, encompassing design, analysis, manufacturing, secondary processing, assembly, painting, quality assurance, and testing.

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UCHIDA's equipment

We have cutting-edge equipment to ensure that we can address even the most advanced challenges of our customers.

DMG森精機 - VS1000/40/2050
X軸：2,050mm（ストローク）／ Y軸：1,000mm ／ Z軸：600mm ／テーブル作業面：2,250×1,000mm

ASHIDA MFG Co., Ltd.
Autoclave Oven 2
Size : Ø1,150x1,000mm / Operating temperature : at normal temperature - 400℃ / Design pressure : 2.0Mpa (maximum working pressure) / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 5

ASHIDA MFG Co., Ltd.
Autoclave Oven 3
Size : Ø3,000x6,000mm / Operating temperature : at normal temperature - 200℃ / Distribution accuracy : ±2.5℃less / Heating rate : 4.0℃/min. (empty furnace) / Cooling rate : 4.0℃/min. (empty furnace) / Design pressure : 0.99Mpa (maximum working pressure) / Working pressure : 0.7Mpa less (if no specification from the manufacuturer 0.3Mpa around) / Pressure accuracy : ±0.02Mpa（for pressure setting of ０ - 0.99Mpa/cm²） / Boost pressure accuracy : 0 - 0.03Mpa/min / Pressure source : compressed air (regular use) / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 10

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Oven
Size : W1,000xH1,000xD1,000mm / Temperature range : Environmental Temperature +20 - 300℃ / Temperature elevation capability : Environmental Temperature (20 - 40℃) - 300℃ / 45min less / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 10

ESPEC CORP.
Temperature & Humidity Chamber

INSTRON
Static Universal Testing Machine 5985

Oven
Size : W7,000xH3,000xD2,000mm / Temperature range : Environmental Temperature +20 - 300℃ (Max) / Temperature elevation capability : Environmental Temperature (20 - 40℃) - 300℃ / 60min less / Vacuum system : back suction system / Vacuum units : 10

NEO
X axis : 4,000mm (stroke) / Y axis : 2,000mm / Z axis : 1,200mm / C axis : 0° - ±270° / B axis : 0° - ±110° / Table working place : 4,000x2,000mm

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3Dプリンター | Markforged

Painting booth
Various painting, and clear finish is done in dedicated painting booth

Adhesion, Finishing, Coating Room
Finishing process, such as trimming, drilling, and bonding, surface treatment of the molded product type and is done in a private booth

Toshiba Matrixeye EX (Ultrasonic flaw detector)
Matrix-Arrey : 32

AMETEK CREAFORM Metra
SCAN750 Elite (3D scan)

Olympus Corp.
Inverted Microscopes

Oven
Size : W450xH450xD450mm / Temperature range : Environmental Temperature +20 - 650℃ / Temperature elevation capability : Environmental Temperature+50 - 650℃/120min less

Cutting Plotter Table working place : W1,500xL3,500mm

SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD
Cutting Plotter

KUKA
Robot

Krauss Maffei
Epoxy resin injection machine Resin 60L ／ Hardener 25L

Krauss Maffei
630t Press machine Height total 5,200mm ／ Length max 1,500mm ／ Width max 1,200mm ／ Whole cycle time per component part 240sec

DMG森精機 - NV5000B/40
X軸：1,020mm（ストローク）／ Y軸：510mm ／ Z軸：510mm ／テーブル作業面：1,320×600mm

Big sized clean room
JIS B 9920 cleanliness class maximum concentration (Pcs/m³） / Class 5 : 100,000m³ / Capacity : m² (16,000x16,000mm) 760m² (16,000x16,000x3,000mm) / Temperature and humidity condition : Temperature : 23℃±3℃, Humidity 65% less / Ambient conditions : Temperature 35℃ during summer, Humidity 70% less / Ambient conditions : Temperature 35℃ during summer, Humidity 70% less / Temperature -5℃ during winter, Humidity 40% less