Fluoropolymer improves impact strength for carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide; reduces water adsorption

Targeting expanded application of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTPs) in fields such as automotive, Japan’s Asahi Glass (AGC) has developed a modification technology based on flu0roresin that improves the impact strength of carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA) thermoplastic composites. Specifically, the technology makes it easier to impregnate carbon fiber with thermoplastic and ensures sufficient mechanical strength in the final product.

Using AGC's fluoropolymer to improve PA 6 has reportedly boosted impact resistance by 30% compared with conventional CFRTP. It has also succeeded in reducing the water absorption rate, a cause of PA 6 thermal decomposition, by 30%. This achievement has made it possible to not only reduce product defects that occur under high temperature molding, but also improve yields.

AGC intends to help expand the applications for CFRTP by proposing its new technology to various manufacturers in the transportation equipment field. The enhanced CFRTP reportedly allows for a wide range of applications such as automobiles, aircraft, and sporting goods components where lighter-weight materials are desirable. In addition to CFRTP, this technology can also be applied to improving engineering plastic properties under high load and high temperature in general.

The global market for CFRTP is set to rise 60-fold on a value basis by 2030 according to Japanese research firm Fuji Keizai.