3 Reasons Why Carbon Fiber Manufactures Will Be Doing More Soon

carbon fiber manufacturers

Carbon manufacturing is slowly maturing because the demand is increasing. Industries across the board are discovering new uses and solutions. This means that carbon manufacturers will be busier than ever.

In this article, we will discuss three reasons why carbon fiber manufacturers can expect an increase in business soon.

Reason 1: Versatility

What is carbon fiber? It’s a material made of carbon atoms that, in turn, make up carbon fibers. These fibers are about 5 – 10 micrometers. It’s versatile and found in many industries. (Aerospace, roads, sporting goods, medicine, textiles, chemicals, and other equipment.) That’s just to name a few.

Its advantages as a material are as follows:

  • Stiffness
  • High tensile strength
  • High-temperature tolerance
  • Low thermal expansion
  • High chemical resistance
  • Lightweight

It’s not easy to determine a straightforward level of global demand and supply for carbon fiber. That’s because it’s usually offered in varying sizes and capabilities (stiffness or strength).

The versatility of carbon fiber has increased its usage drastically. Not to mention, the price of carbon fiber has been falling as well. Looking ahead, we can expect an increased demand for carbon fiber. Especially in wind energy, transportation, infrastructure, and pressure vessels.

We highlight two more areas below that are driving up demand for carbon fiber.

Reason 2: Hydrogen

Hydrogen is increasingly being used as an alternative to fossil fuels. It’s a great CO2-alternative. The rise in hydrogen use has also increased the demand for carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic pressure vessels. These are the most effective storage units for hydrogen.

Carbon fiber has naturally increased in demand since hydrogen usage increased. Moreover, the European Commission has recently labeled hydrogen a key priority. They believe that further usage will contribute to a more sustainable economy.

This means that carbon fiber composite manufacturing will only become more valuable over time. The largest carbon fiber manufacturers (and even the smallest) will most likely see an uptick in demand.

Reason 3: Lightweight Components

Carbon-fiber is also a very durable and lightweight material. Naturally, the transportation industry quickly realized the advantages it has for producing vessels, cars, airplanes, etc.

Designers have been using carbon fiber to reduce the weight of aircraft. This helps lower fuel consumption and reduce emissions. For example, the company Rolls Royce has been using carbon fiber for decades. They develop parts for their aero engines, fan blades, and even fan casings.

The potential for carbon fiber in automated technologies is immense. It’s only natural that usage will increase because it contributes to a more sustainable economy.

The Effect On Carbon Fiber Manufacturers

Since the demand for carbon fiber is increasing, the amount of carbon fiber manufacturers has also exploded. It’s a $22 billion industry. This means there is no shortage of vendors out there to choose from.

This makes choosing a carbon fiber vendor or manufacturer more difficult than before. How do you choose the best carbon fiber manufacturer? We answer that here.

SMI is advancing the composite manufacturing field by helping our customers make informed decisions. So, if you want more information in this field, check out our blog!

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