Modern fibers are very thin. With a diameter of just seven microns, carbon fibers are barely visible to the naked eye. (By comparison, a human hair is 100 microns.) Consequently, fibers are most often purchased in the form of roving or tow (yarn); mats made from chopped strand fibers held together with glue; woven fabrics; or prepreg, non-crimp fabrics with unidirectional fibers held together by glue or stitches.
Fiber and resin matrices have to be combined. The strongest materials have the highest amount of fibers and least amount of resin possible while still allowing the resin to transfer well (or surround every fiber). Fiberglass composites, for example, are generally 65 percent fiber. The most common method of manufacturing composites remains hand lay up of materials into an open mold. Thermoplastic processes use very short fibers, sometimes called “whiskers” of fiberglass, nylon, polycarbonate or polypropene with injection molding technology. Thermosets use compression to produce higher fiber content, but require very large, expensive presses to do so.
Regardless of where your business fits in the composites supply chain, George concluded that there are market opportunities at every stage of the supply chain – from supplying resins and fiber to manufacturing end-use applications.
