We use “raw carbon fiber” and waste and cut fiber from the carbon fiber processing industry (in other words, recycled carbon fiber) to produce nonwovens. In the past few years. The use of carbon fiber has proved many times that its unique characteristics have completely changed the entire industry and generated new impetus. These fibers are attractive not only because of their special appearance, but also because of their functional characteristics. Therefore, they can be used to solve different problems and requirements in various technologies, such as lightweight structure, corrosion resistance and material sustainability. So today, we will discuss the carbon fiber nonwoven through the post.
What Is Nonwoven?
Nonwoven fabrics are widely defined as sheet or mesh structures that are mechanically, thermally or chemically combined by winding fibers or filaments. It is also as well as through perforated membranes. In additionnal, they are flat porous sheets made directly from individual fibers or molten plastics or plastic films. Because non wovens are not made by weaving or knitting, and do not need to convert fibers into yarn.
Benefits About Carbon Fiber Nonwoven
- Compared with “original carbon fiber” textiles, the cost advantage of carbon fiber nonwoven can reach 70%.
- When it compared with glass fiber reinforced components, up to 60% weight can be saved in the final product with the same performance.
- Again, it compared with aluminum parts, the weight of the final product can be saved by 70%, with the same performance.
- As the raw material of carbon fiber nonwovens, the fibers are provided by the carbon fiber processing industry and used as leftovers in the production of fabrics and non-crimped fabrics. In addition, the fibers of “end of life” components can also be used for nonwoven production.
About Carbon Fiber Nonwoven, A Production Waste
Now, the innovation of nonwovens is as rapid as the growth of demand. Meanwhile, almost all industries have unlimited possibilities to adapt nonwovens fabrics. Certainly, carbon fibrers nonwovens also occupy a certain market at the same time.
This guide focuses on a series of case studies. It includes the development of carbon fiber nonwovens from production waste by Sigmatex, headquartered in Runcorn, UK. Peter Sestic, the chief textile engineer of Sigmatex. He explained that up to 30% of carbon fibers eventually become waste in the manufacturing supply chain.
Waste reduction is a major issue in the composite industry. And also Sigmatex has a strong incentive to minimize its environmental footprint. Therefore, the company developed a technology for recycling carbon fiber waste and converting it into non-woven fabrics. The nonwoven fabric is made of original fiber/size fiber to maximize the resin compatibility in the composite stack. It is as an economic way to increase the stiffness and volume.
The length of the fiber is usually 30-70mm and is randomly oriented. It is worth noting that the recycling route can reduce the landfill contribution of Sigmatex by up to 90%. Actually, it is about 150 tons per year.
How Do We Send The Waste Back To The Recycling
The fibers used as raw materials for carbon fibrers nonwoven are provided by the carbon fiber processing industry. These can be leftovers from fabric and loose cloth production, or fibers from “end of life” components. In addition, to pure carbon fiber, blends with other fiber types (such as thermoplastic fiber) can also be processed according to customer requirements.