New glass fiber/carbon nanofiber fabric
July 18, 2023
The United States Carbon Composite Technology Corporation (CCT) recently obtained a patent on glass fiber/carbon fiber blended nanofabrics. This fabric is used to reinforce the polymer and make composite products. The novelty of this patented material is that it combines the high strength, light weight, and glass fiber cost-effectiveness of carbon nanofibers. Several of the Fortune 500 manufacturers engaged in the manufacture of wind power, aviation, armor, boats, and automotive components have begun to evaluate the material's weight savings and cost savings. Augrid, the parent company of CCT, predicts that the annual revenue of this material (including materials, equipment sales revenue and technology transfer fees) will exceed US$25 million in the next two years. The CCT estimates that to achieve this forecast, about 10 million linear-coded fabrics need to be sold and more than 2,000 pounds of multi-walled carbon nanotubes need to be used.
The cost of CCT's patented fabrics is similar to that of glass fibers, but its physical properties are superior to those of carbon fiber fabrics, reaching the US national standards for strength, corrosion resistance, and durability. Another unique feature of this technology and material is that it can use resistance heating to reduce molding time and energy consumption.