Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is a material composed of carbon fibers and a plastic matrix.
Carbon fibers have been produced industrially since the 1970s and used as reinforcing fibers in plastics. They are made up of over 90 % pure carbon.
They have an exceptionally high modulus of elasticity. This makes carbon reinforced plastic ideal for applications where stiffness and strength are of paramount importance. At the same time, CFRP plastic is also characterized by its low weight compared to steel, which is almost four times heavier.
Unlike glass and aramid fiber reinforced plastics which offer excellent electrical insulation, carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic is electrically conductive. However, unless the carbon compound has been specifically designed for electrically active applications, carbon fiber reinforced materials should not be assumed to have constant conductivity. Compared to glass fibers, carbon fiber reinforcement is ideal for sliding friction and low-friction applications. Their properties support sliding movements and provide significantly improved abrasion resistance.
Ensinger offers a wide range of different carbon fiber reinforced plastics. In addition to carbon fiber reinforced semi-finished products, filaments and compounds, Ensinger also offers continuous fiber-reinforced sheets, organosheets, semi-pregs and prepregs as part of our composite product line.
