Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic (CFRTP): Features and Application Fields

Contents

Introduction
Basic Concept of CFRTP
CFRTP Features
CFRTP Application Fields
Summary

Introduction

CFRTP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic) is material produced by reinforcing a lightweight thermoplastic resin with high-strength carbon fibers, resulting in an advanced composite characterized by an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, superior processability, and recyclability.
In this column, we explain the features of CFRTP and its principal application fields.

Basic Concept of CFRTP

CFRTP consists of carbon fibers embedded within a thermoplastic resin. The thermoplastic resin matrix softens into a moldable molten consistency under heat and solidifies when cooled. This CFRTP property enhances molding efficiency and facilitates improved reprocessing and recyclability compared to conventional thermoset-based composites (namely CFRPs).

– Carbon Fiber: High strength and rigidity, lightweight, heat resistant, and corrosion resistant.
– Thermoplastic Resin: Softens under elevated temperatures and solidifies upon cooling, allowing for easy molding and repeated processing.

CFRTP Features

– Lightweight: The carbon fiber reinforcements in CFRTP achieve exceptionally low structural density (lightweight) compared to metals and other materials of the same strength. This weight-saving capacity is especially advantageous in the automotive and aircraft industries.
– High Strength: The inherent qualities of carbon fibers deliver excellent tensile and compressive strength, enabling CFRTP to maintain structural integrity and stability even in harsh environmental conditions.
– Processability: The thermoplastic resin used in CFRTP facilitates easy molding and processing of complex component designs and intricate shapes. It is also highly recyclable and environmentally efficient.
– Heat Resistance: CFRTP is resistant to high temperatures, making it suitable for applications exposed to thermally demanding environments.
– Corrosion Resistance: Compared with conventional metals, CFRTP demonstrates excellent resistance to corrosion.

CFRTP Application Fields

Automotive Industry

CFRTP has emerged as a key enabling material in response to growing market demand and regulatory requirements for lightweight vehicles. The integration of CFRTP into structural and exterior components significantly reduces vehicle mass, improving fuel efficiency and optimizing driving performance. Its application is expanding, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs) and high-performance cars.

Aircraft Industry

In aerospace applications, CFRTP is utilized for aircraft fuselages, components, and internal structural elements due its applauded strength-to-weight ratio. Its lightweight and robust properties optimize aircraft performance and fuel efficiency.

Sporting Equipment

The high strength-to-weight ratio of CFRTP is widely leveraged in performance sporting equipment—such as bicycle frames, golf club shafts, and tennis rackets—to enhance competitive performance and ensure long-term durability.

Electronics

CFRTP is often utilized in housings for electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and notebook computers, which require excellent shock absorption and durability alongside lightweight construction.

Industrial Equipment

In industrial machinery, CFRTP is employed for structural components and equipment housings to improve vibrational absorption and impact resistance, thereby extending equipment life.

Summary

CFRTP is an advanced composite material characterized by lightweight construction, high mechanical strength, excellent processability, and recyclability with expanding adoption across diverse industries, including automotive, aerospace, sporting equipment, and electronics. CFRTP enables more efficient processing and recycling compared to conventional thermoset-based composites, supporting environmentally conscious and sustainable manufacturing. Continued advancements in CFRTP processing technologies are expected drive innovation and further developments in higher-performance and more sustainable products.

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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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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