CFRP

CFRP stands for carbon fiber reinforced polymer (also carbon fiber reinforced plastic). It is a composite material made by embedding carbon fibers in a polymer matrix, typically epoxy or other resin. The carbon fibers provide high tensile strength, high stiffness, and low density; the matrix binds fibers, transfers load, and protects fibers from environmental damage. The resulting material exhibits a high strength-to-weight ratio and good fatigue resistance.

Common matrices include thermosets such as epoxy, vinyl ester, and phenolic resins; thermoplastics such as PEEK, PEI, and nylon. Epoxy-based CFRPs are widely used in aerospace and high-performance applications due to strong adhesion and temperature resistance; thermoplastic CFRPs offer better damage tolerance and recyclability.

Manufacturing methods include lay-up (manual or automated), filament winding, pultrusion, resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum-assisted RTM, and autoclave curing to achieve highly consolidated composites. Processes vary with fiber preform and resin system.

Properties include high tensile strength and modulus, excellent fatigue and corrosion resistance, low density, and good thermal stability. Properties are anisotropic and highly dependent on fiber orientation and volume fraction. Electrical conductivity exists with carbon fibers, potentially allowing EMI shielding.

Applications cover aerospace airframes and components, automotive structural parts, wind turbine blades, sporting goods, marine and civil engineering components, and other high-performance equipment.

Limitations include relatively high material cost, brittle matrices that can crack and delaminate, moisture uptake that can affect properties, and challenges in repair and non-destructive inspection. Recycling of thermoset CFRPs is difficult, though thermoplastic CFRPs are more recyclable.

Recycling and sustainability efforts focus on mechanical grinding, chemical processing, and pyrolysis to recover fibers, with ongoing research to reduce environmental impact and cost.