High-performance carbon-fibre composites in China

Abstract

Carbon fibre is the general term for fibres with over 90% carbon content, combining carbon's light weight, heat and thermal-shock resistance, chemical corrosion resistance and conductivity with fibre flexibility and mechanical performance; it can withstand high temperature without losing strength and, under oxygen-free conditions, up to 2000 ℃, suiting reinforced composites, ablative and insulating materials.

The article describes China's carbon-fibre industrialisation: supported under national programmes and the 12th Five-Year new-materials plan, thousand-tonne lines have been built, companies such as Weihai Tuozhan, Jiangsu Hengshen and Zhongfu Shenying have emerged, and capacity has reached over 20,000 tonnes. Demand grew from 2995.1 t in 2008 to 4240.6 t in 2010 (+17.4%) and 6000 t in 2012 (+18.6%). The article notes domestic product is mainly T300-level 3k/12k, while T700 is in engineering research and T800/MJ series under development, with a cost gap versus imports. Main applications are aerospace/defence and sports equipment, with growing use in pressure vessels, wind power, friction materials, automotive and new energy.

Key facts

  • Definition: carbon content >90%; oxygen-free heat resistance to ~2000 ℃ (per original)
  • China support: national R&D programmes and the 12th Five-Year new-materials plan
  • Named companies: Weihai Tuozhan, Jiangsu Hengshen, Zhongfu Shenying; capacity >20,000 t
  • Demand: 2995.1 t (2008) → 4240.6 t (2010, +17.4%) → 6000 t (2012, +18.6%)
  • Domestic grade: mainly T300-level 3k/12k; T700 in engineering; T800/MJ in development
  • Applications: aerospace/defence, sports, pressure vessels, wind power, friction materials, automotive, new energy

The original article is in Chinese; see the Chinese version for the full text. This page provides the English title, abstract and key facts only — translated and compiled from the original, without full verbatim translation.