Carbon composite
Carbon composite is a high tech plastic noted for its high strength and light weight. Also known as carbon fiber or graphite, the composite is formed by curing a fiber matrix with a resin, often an epoxy resin. Carbon composites are preferred in applications such as aircraft, but have been adapted to golf clubs and tennis rackets and are under development for automotive components.
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Expanded Definition
The fiber is usually made by sintering polyacrylonitrile, but other carbon sources can be used. The carbon matrix may be supplied as single fiber or woven into a fabric. The fiber can be preimpregnated with a solid resin or a liquid resin can be applied as the fiber is wound around a form. Curing is usually finished by baking often under vacuum in an autoclave.
Carbon composite was invented in 1966 by W. Watt, L. N. Phillips and W. Johnson at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough, England. Its use is best known in stealth aircraft but recently has been used in the latest generation of commercial aircraft.
Fiberglass composites, usually known to the consumer as "fiberglass" are an earlier form of composite. The addition of inert fillers to binders to reduce cost has been known for decades. The recognition that some inerts can enhance performance of the matrix is the key to some high performance materials.
In a sense, Portland cement concrete is a composite due to its aggregate. Closely related is polymer concrete, where a filler or aggregate is dispersed in a resin. Particle board, masonite or strandboard are similar in that wood fiber or particles are dispersed in a resin matrix.
In addition to carbon composites, other forms of carbon are known. Buckyball or buckminsterfullerene is one of these. Nanotubes is another. Both are the subject of research to develop unique uses. Graphite used in pencil leads and in electrodes for dry cell batteries and electric furnaces is another specialty. Carbon black is a common additive for rubber formulations and a black pigment. Activated carbon is used as an adsorbent to remove color bodies or other impurities in processing and in gas masks.
Suppliers
Leading suppliers of carbon composites are thought to be--
Cytec Cytec is the world's second largest producer of carbon fiber products for composites used in aircraft.
Hexcel A specialist in composites of all types dating from 1946, specializing in products for military and aviation. Its early expertise in fiberglass and aluminum celled composites evolved to include carbon composites.
Zoltek Ticker: ZOLT. Small player specializing in low cost, commercial grade carbon made from textile grade fiber. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=75125&p=irol-irhome#
SGL Carbon is in Wiesbaden, Germany, and is listed on European stock markets. It has no adr's in the US. A German company dating back to 1878 with Siemens carbon production, later merged with units of Hoechst and acquired Great Lakes Carbon. Listed on the NYSE in 1997; delisted 2007. Manufactures a full line including graphite electrodes and furnace linings as well as carbon fiber. http://www.sglgroup.com/cms/international/home/index.html?__locale=en
Toho Tenax is one of the automotive players working with GM, but it's a Japanaese company: http://www.tohotenaxamerica.com/
Toray Carbon Fibers claims to be the largest producer of carbon fibers-- http://www.toraycfa.com/
Mitsubishi Rayon owns Grafil, which manufactures carbon fibers in Sacramento, CA. http://composite.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sd...
Nippon Carbon Fiber is an affiliate of Nippon Steel and Nippon Oil of Japan. It specializes in carbon fiber derived from pitch.
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