SGL Carbon to present new 50k carbon fibre at JEC

The new SIGRAFIL C T50-4.9/235 carbon fibre will match the high strength requirements for common pressure vessel designs and exhibits a high elongation capacity. It also enables further applications in market segments that require high strength and elongation.

SGL Carbon has many years of experience in carbon fibre production and produces its own precursor as well as its own carbon fibres in its European and North American value chain.

The SIGRAFIL C T50-4.9/235 carbon fibre was developed based on the 50k fibre portfolio already in large-scale production, which is successfully used in the wind and automotive industries, among others.

The new SIGRAFIL C T50-4.9/235 achieves high levels of strength (4.9 GPa) and elongation (2.0%), now available in the 50k arena. Until now, these values could only be achieved with lower filament count fibres (e.g. 12k or 24k).

This complements SGL's broad product portfolio of 50k fibres. The typical advantages of SIGRAFIL 50k fibre types, such as increased process efficiency, higher material throughput, faster process times and less set-up effort, can now also be benefitted from these innovative applications.

"Carbon fibre-based solutions are a key driver for the transformation to sustainable mobility, for example in pressure vessels for future hydrogen mobility and fuel cells. After successful development work, we can now present a carbon fibre at JEC World 2023 that achieves a whole new level of elongation and strength. In addition, it offers the customer clear processing advantages. I am very proud of our team." said Roland Nowicki, head of business unit carbon fibres at SGL Carbon.

With its innovative products, SGL Carbon supports the rapidly growing demand for climate-friendly mobility. Thanks to its special mechanical properties, the new carbon fibre SIGRAFIL C T50-4.9/235 is ideally suited for winding pressure vessels which are needed for storing hydrogen in fuel cell vehicles.

In the manufacture of pressure vessels, plastic containers are wrapped with carbon fibres impregnated in resin and then cured. Due to their low weight combined with high strength, SIGRAFIL carbon fibres enable weight advantages in tank design and can withstand very high pressures of up to 700 bar.

In addition to its use in pressure vessels, the new carbon fibre SIGRAFIL C T50-4.9/235 also enables applications in market segments such as construction, infrastructure and sports that require high strength and fibre elongation.

The new SIGRAFIL C T50-4.9/235 will be presented to the public for the first time at the JEC World trade fair in Paris from April 25-27, 2023.

www.sglcarbon.com