PUBLISHER: Future Markets, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1223512
PUBLISHER: Future Markets, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1223512
Carbon fiber (CF) is used as a reinforcement material in composites. Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) are mainly used in wind energy, automotive, aerospace (commercial and military aircraft, space launch vehicles), and pressure vessel industries for increased strength to weight and stiffness. Other markets are sports & leisure composites (skis and snowboards, bicycles and hockey sticks) and construction. The market for CF and CFRP will grow through to 2033, with recent increased demand in several markets and capacity expansions.
CF has the characteristics of common carbon materials such as:
It also has advantageous differences such as:
There are significant regulatory, economic and consumer motivations for manufacturers to adopt materials that reduce the weight of the product and maintain or increase its performance. For example, manufacturers are interested in producing aircraft and automobiles that are more fuel efficient, increasing the size of wind energy blades, and producing strong lightweight storage vessels for alternative transportation fuels. To this end, carbon fiber (CF) and carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) that provide lightweighting and strength enhancement potential, are primary candidate materials for meeting these goals.