Features of CFRP and its Superior Performance

Contents

Introduction
Basic Structure of CFRP
CFRP Features
CFRP Application Areas
Summary

Introduction

CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) is a high-performance carbon-fiber-based composite that delivers exceptional strength, stiffness, and ultra-lightweight performance—making it one of the most transformative materials in modern engineering. CFRP continues to gain traction and expand possibilities across diverse fields ranging from aerospace and automotive vehicles to next-generational sporting equipment and defense-related applications.
In this column, we explore the defining features of CFRP, detailing its mechanical advantages and applications.

Basic Structure of CFRP

CFRP is a composite material made from carbon fibers embedded in a polymer resin. The exceptionally high tensile strength of the carbon fibers provides rigidity and structural strength while the polymer matrix binds and stabilizes the fibers, enhancing moldability and offering protection against external shock and vibrational forces.

CFRP Features

Lightweight

CFRP’s most defining feature is its ultra-lightweight construction comparted to metals of equal structural strength—being approximately one-quarter the weight of aluminum and one-sixth the weight of steel. This characteristic is particularly important in aircraft and automotive applications where each unit of weight saved leads to measurable gains in fuel efficiency and performance.

– Aerospace: Weight reduction using CFRP improves the aircraft fuel efficiency, enabling longer flight ranges and more cost-effective operation.
– Automotive: Vehicle weight reduction directly enhances overall driving performance and fuel efficiency. CFRP is also used in electric vehicles to maximize battery efficiency and extend driving range.

High Strength and Rigidity

CFRP exhibits very high tensile strength and rigidity due to the reinforcing carbon fibers. This combination provides high load-carrying capacity while maintaining a low structural weight, making CFRP particularly suitable for use in structures that require superior strength-to-weight performance.

– Sporting Equipment: The strength-to-weight ratio of CFRP provides significant performance and handling advantages in both competitive and recreational sporting equipment—including bicycle frames, golf clubs, and tennis rackets.
– Aerospace: CFRP is employed in aircraft structural components and selected engine parts to achieve and maintain an optimal balance between weight reduction and structural integrity required for aerospace operations.

Corrosion Resistance

CFRP demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance compared to conventional metals. The polymer matrix provides strong protection against moisture and chemical exposure, preventing rush formation and corrosion even under long-term use and exposure to harsh conditions. These characteristics make it suitable for use in highly corrosive environments.

– Marine Industry: CFRP’s corrosion resistance is particularly advantageous in marine vessels and offshore structures exposed to highly corrosive seawater conditions.
– Chemical Plants: CFRP is also employed in industrial equipment and structures due to its ability to withstand corrosive chemicals, and highly hot and humid environments.

High Elastic Modulus (Young’s Modulus)

CFRP has a high elastic modulus, providing strong resistance to deformation under dynamic loads. This property plays a strong role in ensuring the stability and long-term performance of machines and structures subjected to significant vibrational forces.

– Automobiles: The high modulus of elasticity contributes to improved vehicle stability and overall driving performance.
– Aircrafts: Reduced structural vibration enabled by CFRP enhances aircraft maneuverability and passenger comfort.

Freedom of Design

CFRP offers excellent moldability and can be manufactured into complex shapes and designs. By adjusting the fiber orientations, CFRP can be tailored to provide varying directional strengths according to product specifications and design. This make CFRP well-suited for product optimization and components with complex specifications.

– Automobiles and Aircrafts: CFRP enables advanced, aerodynamic, and structurally efficient designs in addition to significant weight reduction.
– Sporting Equipment: CFRP allows for tailored product designs with strategic strength and flexibility distribution to maximize the performance of sporting equipment.

CFRP Application Areas

The exceptional characteristics of CFRP have led to it widespread application across diverse industrial fields. While not limited to these areas, it most typically employed in the following industries:

– Aerospace Industry: CFRP is widely used in aircraft structural components, engine parts, and interior materials due to its high weight-to-strength performance, It contributes to improved fuel efficiency and reduced operating costs.
– Automotive Industry: CFRP is used in sports cars, electric vehicle parts, and racing car chassis and frames where its light weight and high strength characteristics enhance performance and structural integrity.
– Sporting goods: CFRP is also widely used in sporting equipment—such as bicycle frames, golf clubs, and tennis rackets—to achieve an optimal balance of low weight and strength.
– Defense: In the defense sector, CFRP is widely utilized in aircraft and bulletproofing applications, where its lightweight and high-strength properties offer significant advantages in both protection and operational efficiency.

Summary

The use and applications of CFRP continue to broaden due to its high weight-to-strength performance, resistance to corrosion, and exceptional design flexibility. Its adoption has driven significant improvements in performance, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness across diverse industries including aerospace, aviation, automotive, sporting equipment, and defense sectors.

We expect demand for CFRP to continue to expand alongside more advanced technological developments.

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

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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