Technology
Toray
developed a new compound technology of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP)for injection molding. The company improved the adhesion properties between continuous
carbon fiber and thermoplastic resin, and successfully obtained higher strength
and better elasticity. The new technology makes it possible to reduce the
weight by more than 20% as compared with the fiber-glass reinforced plastic of
the same strength and increase the bending strength by more than 30%. Polypropylene
(PP) and polyphenylene sulfide were used to develop the resin. A 20-30% weight
reduction is possible by using PP pellets in place of fiber-glass reinforced
plastic of the same strength. And a PP pellet has high heat resistance because
its heat distortion temperature is above 260 degrees centigrade. Its chemical
resistance and flame resistance are excellent, too.
The
company modified the property of the surface of carbon fiber using nanostructure
control technology and employed a small amount of an additive to produce the matrix
resin. This realized the high degree of interface adhesion, while dispersing
carbon fibers uniformly throughout the resin. The new product will be more
expensive than the existing fiber-glass reinforced plastic, but it provides
higher degree of design freedom and the ability to make a product lighter. The
company plans to market it to auto makers and home electronics makers to help
them reduce the weight of their products. Samples will be shipped within this
year.
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