CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic): Characteristics and Application Fields

Contents

Introduction
Basic Concept of CFRP
CFRP Characteristics
CFRP Application Fields
Summary

Introduction

CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) is a lightweight, high-performance composite material with an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. These properties have driven its widespread adoption in aerospace, automotive, sporting, and other high-performance applications.

In this column, we dive into the unique characteristics of CFRP and its application across multiple industries.

Basic Concept of CFRP

CFRP is a composite material formed by embedding high-strength carbon fibers in a polymer resin matrix. This combination delivers exceptional strength and superior mechanical performance while maintaining low weight for high-tech and precision applications.

– Carbon Fibers: High strength and rigidity, lightweight, heat and corrosion resistance.

– Polymer (resin): Binds the carbon fibers together and enables reshaping and processing.

CFRP Characteristics

– Lightweight: CFRP delivers metal-level tensile strength at a fraction of the weight—a critical advantage in aerospace and automotive applications.

– High Strength: Carbon fibers provide exceptional tensile strength and structural integrity, allowing CFRP to withstand extremely high loads.

– Corrosion Resistance: Unlike metals, CFRP is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, enabling reliable and long-term use in harsh environments.

– Heat Resistance: CFRP maintains mechanical performance at elevated temperatures, making it well-suited for applications that require heat-resistant components.

CFRP Application Fields

Aerospace Industry

The combined lightweight and high-strength properties of CFRP have driven its widespread use in aircraft and spacecraft components and have transformed fuel efficiency and aerodynamic performance in aircrafts. It is used in structures such as aircraft wings, fuselages, and rocket structural components.

Automotive Industry

In the automotive industry, CFRP is used to pursue substantial weight reduction, particularly in body panels and chassis components of sports and luxury cars. Reduced vehicle mass directly improves fuel efficiency, handling, and overall driving performance.

Sporting Goods

In competitive sports, reducing weight without sacrificing strength is critical. These demands have driven the widespread use of CFRP in sporting goods ranging from bicycle frames to golf clubs and tennis rackets.

Medical Devices

Lightweight materials with high-strength—led by CFRP—have driven significant advancements in medical devices and implants. CFRP is used widely in bone repair and reinforcements, prosthetic limbs, and other medical device components where strength, lightweight, and precision is crucial.

Wind Power Generation

CFRP plays a key role in efficient wind power generation through its use in wind turbine blades. Its high strength and low weight enable more durable blades and higher output under strong wind conditions.

Summary

The lightweight and high-tensile-strength properties of CFRP have transformed diverse industries, driving innovation and advancements across aerospace and automotive, sporting goods, and medical applications. Continued advances in CFRP are expected to further expand its capabilities and unlock possibilities for lighter and stronger products.

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.

See Details

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

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

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

【開発】
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