What is 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 yet extremely strong material that is used in a variety of fields, including aircraft, automobiles, and sporting goods. In this column, the characteristics of CFRP and its application fields will be explained in detail.

Basic Concept of CFRP

CFRP is a composite material consisting of carbon fiber reinforced with plastic (resin). Carbon fiber is a lightweight material with very high strength and rigidity, and by bonding it with resin, it becomes a more durable and stronger material.

-Carbon fiber: High strength and rigidity, light weight, heat resistance and corrosion resistance.

-Resin: Serves to bind carbon fibers together and provides formability and workability.

CFRP Characteristics

– Lightweight: CFRP is extremely lightweight compared to metal materials with the same strength. This property is especially important in the aircraft and automotive industries.

– High strength: Carbon fiber has very high tensile strength and can withstand very high forces.

– Corrosion resistance: Compared to metals, carbon fiber is more resistant to corrosion and rust, allowing it to be used for long periods of time in harsh environments.

– Heat resistance: CFRP has the ability to withstand high temperatures, making it useful in industries that require heat-resistant components.

CFRP Application Fields

Aerospace Industry

CFRP is widely used in aircraft and spacecraft components. Its lightweight yet high-strength properties contribute to improved fuel efficiency and airframe performance. It is used in a wide variety of parts, including aircraft wings and fuselages and rocket structures.

Automotive Industry

In the automotive industry, CFRP is used to pursue weight reduction. It is especially used for body parts and chassis of sports cars and luxury cars. Weight reduction enables improved fuel efficiency and driving performance.

Sporting Goods

CFRP is also used in many sporting goods, such as bicycle frames, golf clubs, and tennis rackets. CFRP’s light weight and strength make it an ideal material for competitive sporting goods.

Medical Devices

CFRP is also used in medical devices and implants because of its light weight yet high strength. It is used in medical implants for bone repair and reinforcement, artificial limbs, and other fields requiring precise, lightweight components.

Wind Power Generation

CFRP is used in wind turbine generator blades. Lightweight and high-strength CFRP enhances the durability of large wind turbine blades and supports efficient power generation.

Summary

CFRP plays an important role in a variety of industries due to its lightweight and high-strength properties. It is used in fields as diverse as the aerospace and automotive industries, sporting goods, and medical equipment, and further technological innovations are expected in the future. the evolution of CFRP will open up new possibilities as lighter and stronger products emerge.

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

【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