A new 50k carbon fiber will be unveiled at JEC World 2023

The new carbon fiber SIGRAFIL® CT50-4.9/235 was developed on the basis of a 50k fiber portfolio by SGL Carbon (a company with many years of experience in carbon fiber production, producing its own precursors and carbon fibers in its European and North American value chain.). The combination is already in volume production and has been successfully used in the wind energy and automotive industries, among others. The new SIGRAFIL® CT50-4.9/235 achieves high levels of strength (4.9 GPa) and elongation (2.0%) in the 50k field.

So far, these values have only been achieved with lower tow count fibers such as 12k or 24k. This further complements SGL's extensive 50k fiber portfolio. The typical advantages of SIGRAFIL 50k fibers, such as higher process efficiency, higher material throughput, faster process times and less setup effort, can now also be used in these innovative applications.

"Carbon fiber-based solutions are a key driver for the transition to sustainable mobility, such as hydrogen mobility using pressure vessels and fuel cells in the future. After successful development work, we can now demonstrate at JEC World 2023 that we have reached a completely new stretch 50k carbon fiber with high rate and strength level. In addition, it also provides customers with obvious processing advantages. I am very proud of our team.” said the head of the carbon fiber business department of SGL Carbon.

Due to the special mechanical properties of "climate-friendly vehicles", the new SIGRAFIL® CT50-4.9/235 carbon fiber is ideally suited for winding the pressure vessels required to store hydrogen in fuel cell vehicles. In the manufacture of pressure vessels, plastic vessels are wrapped with resin-impregnated carbon fibers and then cured. Due to its low weight and high strength, SIGRAFIL carbon fiber offers a weight advantage in tank designs that can withstand high pressures up to 700 bar.

In addition to its use in pressure vessels, the new SIGRAFIL® CT50-4.9/235 carbon fiber can also be used in market segments such as construction, infrastructure and sports where high strength and fiber elongation are required.

SGL Carbon will showcase this new 50k carbon fiber at JEC World 2023.