SGL Group has developed a new carbon fibre, SIGRAFIL C T50-4.8/280, which is characterised by a high Young’s modulus, making it ideal for aerospace applications. Pressure vessels, drive shafts, profiles, and sheet molding compounds (SMCs) are other applications for the fibre which has good mechanical properties due to high stiffness and strength.

The high Young’s modulus based on a 50k fibre (50,000 individual filaments) is unique to the market. Previously, only fibres with lower numbers of filaments (for example12k or 24k) achieved these high mechanical properties. This classifies the new carbon fibre between standard modulus and intermediate modulus, with a property combination never exhibited before for 50k – in the “advanced modulus” range. Developed based on the 50k fibre used successfully in serial production in automotive projects, it is an excellent example of knowledge transfer within SGL Group made possible thanks to activities in various industries. The new fibre provides an efficiency boost during processing, helping to expand the range of applications for carbon fibre composites.

“With the new SIGRAFIL 50k carbon fibre, we can now offer aerospace industry customers attractive material solutions for various component classes. At the same time, customers from many industries benefit from our bundled expertise along the entire value chain, from the fibre to the component,” explains Andreas Erber, head of the Aerospace segment in the Composites – Fibres and Materials (CFM) BU of SGL Group.

The new fibre will be demonstrated at JEC World in Paris during March 6-8, 2018. (SV)