Broad Base. Best Solutions.

CoMpoSITeS – FIberS AnD MATerIALS

SIGRAFIL®Continuous Carbon Fiber Tow

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Carbon fibers and composites – made by SGL Group.

Q Comprehensive product range

Q Integrated value chain

Q Only European carbon fiber manufacturer

Q Consistently high quality

Q Many different processing technologies

Q Innovative tailored solutions

Q High security of supply

Q Close-to-customer sales and distribution network

Q Global presence

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b Carbon fibers in the manufacturing process

Unique integrated value chainSGL Group covers the complete value chain of carbon fiber products: from precursor via carbon fibers, fabrics, and prepregs to the finished CFRP components. Our carbon fibers produced by SGL Group in Europe and North America form the basis for all processing steps in fiber-reinforced composite applications.

Carbon fiber-reinforced plastics are high-perfor-mance materials with unique properties. They are used where other materials have reached their limits and are indispensable in many industries today, e.g. for lightweight components with highest strength and stiffness.

SGL Group is the only European manufacturer to cover the entire carbon fiber value chain: from raw material we produce ourselves all intermediate steps to the finished end products. In this way, we can guarantee the highest product quality and security of supply.

With many different processing technologies and comprehensive production, material, and application know-how, we can offer our customers tailormade solutions for their requirements – for example in automotive production, the wind energy sector, and numerous other industrial applications.

SIGRAFIL continuous carbon fiber tow SIGRAFIL continuous carbon fiber tow forms the basis for high-quality carbon fiber-reinforced composites (CFRP). It is suitable for a wide variety of processing technologies and is the main component of CFRP products. It also opens up new possibilities for serial production of CFRP components used in many different industries.

Video: From fiber to finished component sglgroup

buSIneSS unIT CoMpoSITeS – FIberS AnD MATerIALS

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Carbon fibers – an ideal material for composite componentsTypical CFRP properties such as high stiffness and strength coupled with light weight are due to the special advantages of continuous carbon fiber tow:

Q Excellent mechanical properties

Q Low density

Q Low thermal expansion

Q Good electrical conductivity

Q Non-corrosive

Q Good spreading behavior

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SIGRAFIL is a continuous carbon fiber tow that we produce on the basis of a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber.

The main advantages of our continuous carbon fiber tow are excellent mechanical properties combined with light weight. With its exceptional strength, high elastic modulus, and low density, SIGRAFIL is a high-performance material capable of producing very stiff yet lightweight composites.

SIGRAFIL is ideal for numerous processes, such as non crimp fabric and prepreg production, weaving, pultrusion, braiding, filament winding and other high-quality composites.

As a key component of fiber-reinforced composites, SIGRAFIL is used in widely diverse applications and products.

Automotive industry: Our continuous carbon fiber tow is used in composites for applications such as lightweight car body and structural components. For electric cars, entire passenger cells are produced from CFRP.

Wind energy: In wind farms, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics are used for the rotor blades of wind turbines.

Aerospace: Carbon fiber-reinforced plastics are used for aircraft components such as fuselage and wing structures, floor beams, and floor panels, and in space engineering for engine cowlings. Sports industry: In the sports sector, carbon fiber-reinforced composites are used as a high-performance material for racing bike frames, racing car monocoques or golf clubs, fishing rods, and archery bows.

Mechanical engineering: Carbon fibers impart high strength and stiffness and good damping properties to components subject to extreme dynamic stresses. Typical applications include gripper bars or lifting beams and transfer bars for automation technology.

CArbon FIber

SIGRAFIL® continuous carbon fiber tow based on PAN

b 24k carbon fiber spool

Manufacturing process

Carbonization1200 – 1400 °C

(2190 – 2550 °F)

Surface treatment Sizing WindingOxidation200 – 300 °C(392 – 572 °F)

PAN precursor

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SGL Group focuses on large tows with 24 000 (24k) or 50 000 (50k) filaments. They are used mainly in high-volume industrial applications, generally with thermosetting resin systems as the matrix material.

Each of our large tow fiber grades offers a specific combination of excellent mechanical properties.Whether your primary requirement is stiffness or strength, we can always supply you with the best material for your application from our range of different fiber grades. This is because the mechanical properties of our carbon fibers can be optimally transferred to the end product or component.

Our range is completed by thermoplastic-compatible continuous carbon fibers and stretch-broken carbon fiber yarns for textile processes. These materials also have specific properties to offer.

Continuous carbon fiber towfor high-volume industrial applications

Typical properties of epoxy prepreg with SIGRAFIL continuous carbon fiber tow (60 Vol. % fiber)

Tensile modulus

(GPa)

Flexural modulus (GPa)

Tensile strength (MPa)

Flexural strength(MPa)

ILSS (MPa)

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

C T50-4.0/240-E100C T24-5.0/270-E100

50

100

150

200

250

250200

150

100

50

2500

2000

1500

1000

50050

10015

020025

0

Material data of our SIGRAFIL® continuous carbon fiber tow

Properties Units C T24-4.8/240-E100 C T24-5.0/270-E100 C T50-4.0/240-E100 C T50-4.4/255-E100Number of filaments 24k 24k 50k 50kFineness of yarn tex 1600 1600 3300 3450Density g/cm³ 1.81 1.81 1.80 1.80Filament diameter µm 7 7 7 7Tensile strength GPa/ksi 4.8/700 5.0/725 4.0/580 4.4/638Tensile modulus GPa/Msi 240/35 270/39 240/35 255/37Elongation at break % 2.0 1.9 1.7 1.65Single filament resistivity µΩm/µΩin 15 /590 14/550 15/590 17/670Sizing type epoxy epoxy epoxy epoxySizing level % 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

Nomenclature key

SIGRAFIL C T24-5.0/270-E100

6 SizingE100 = epoxy T140 = thermoplasticR100 = elastomer

5 Mechanical propertiestensile strength and tensile modulus (GPa)

4 Number of filaments24 = 2400050 = 50000

2 MaterialC = carbon

1 Brand nameSIGRAFIL

3 TypeT = continuous tow SB = stretch-broken yarn

1 2 3 4 5 6

Fineness of yarn 70 = 70 tex

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Easy material processability plays a key role in product manufacture – especially when it comes to producing innovative high-tech components cost-efficiently. Continuous carbon fiber tow made by SGL Group scores highly here with optimum winding properties, low fuzz content, and good spreading behavior. It also offers good resin absorption and impregnation characteristics. As a result, our material has excellent processing properties and so increases process efficiency.

We match the mechanical properties of the material to customer-specific requirements. This opens up whole new possibilities in the design and production of high-performance components, such as filament-wound pressurized containers.

SIGRAFIL’ s good resin absorption speeds up resin transfer molding (RTM) and leads to optimum fiber embedment in the matrix. This guarantees exceptional properties, even in large serially produced components.

Due to SIGRAFIL’ s good spreading behavior, areal weights can be optimized and different textile constructions used, for example in multiaxial fabrics. This makes it possible to produce innovative lightweight components in very large dimensions, such as rotor blades.

CArbon FIber

Ideal for textile production and direct processes

c Multiaxial fabric in rotor blade construction

c Composite component with exposed carbon surface c Pressurized container filament-wound with SIGRAFIL continuous carbon fiber tow

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Continuous carbon fiber tow forfiber-reinforced thermoplastics

Material data of our SIGRAFIL® continuous carbon fiber tow

Properties Units C T50-4.0/240-T140Number of filaments 50kDensity g/cm³ 1.80Fiber diameter µm 7Tensile strength GPa/ksi 4.0/580Tensile modulus GPa/Msi 240/35Elongation at break % 1.7Compatible matrix various thermoplastics, preferably polyamides

One of our innovations is a continuous carbon fiber tow for fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. Thanks to a special size developed by us, the carbon fibers can be optimally bonded to the thermoplastic matrix. In this way, the high stiffness and strength of the fiber can be fully transferred to products and their components.

Thermoplastic carbon fiber composites open up new possibili-ties for serial production. Our innovative fibers are suitable for very diverse thermoplastic production chains and show good spreading behavior for textile processes.

Our fibers form the basis for these composites, enabling the outstanding properties of carbon fibers to be combined with the typical processing properties of thermoplastics. The composites can be readily shaped, repaired, and recycled. In addition, they permit short production cycles and facilitate product manufacture by making components weldable. So our material makes an important contribution to sustainability and efficiency.

Mechanical properties achieved with thermoplastic-compatible sizings

113

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Specialthermoplastic-compatible sizing

Standard sizing

Bend

ing

stre

ngth

90°

[MPa

](v

alue

s fo

r PA-

6 m

atrix

)

c Continuous carbon fiber tow with thermoplastic-compatible size

9CArbon FIber

Our stetch-broken SIGRAFIL carbon fiber is a very fine yarn offering very high performance. It combines the outstanding properties of carbon fibers with excellent textile processability. The key material advantages are:

• High yarn strength• Very good knot and loop strength• Heat resistance• Chemical resistance• Low elongation• Electrical conductivity• Defined electrical resistivity• Non-melting

Our carbon fiber yarn is particularly suitable for braiding, sewing, stitching, knitting, and weaving. It opens up new possibilities in a wide range of applications spanning numerous industries such as auto manufacture and the aerospace sector.

The yarn is typically used where flame retardancy, high-temperature resistance or electrical insulation are required. As a sewing yarn and reinforcing material, our carbon fiber yarn is found in a variety of end products, such as heating elements.

c Stretch-broken carbon fiber yarn

Stretch-broken carbon fiber yarnfor textile processes

Material data of our SIGRAFIL® stretch-broken carbon fiber yarns

Properties Units C SB70-3.3/240-R100Fineness of yarn tex 70 (2 × 35)Twist direction ZYarn twist T/m 230Yarn finish styrene-butadiene rubber-based*Finish level % 1.0*Resistivity Ω/m 490Tensile strength N > 48Knot strength N > 2Loop strength N > 10Elongation at break % > 0.8Max. temperature range °C 700  – 1000*Other yarn finishes on request.

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A comprehensive range of application-optimized, high-performance solutions.To develop new ideas, you need partners who can contribute added knowledge and think outside the box. As the only European carbon fiber manufacturer, we offer more than just our comprehensive product portfolio.

With our many different processing technologies, we supply solutions perfectly matched to your requirements, application, and technical conditions: precisely tailored high-performance materials for the develop-ment and production of competitive lightweight design innovations.

11SGL Group – The CArbon CoMpAny

SGL Group – The Carbon Company.A leading global manufacturer of carbon-based products.Q Unique product portfolioQ Innovative technologies and solutionsQ Production sites close to sales marketsQ Technology & Innovation Center in Germany with international networks

We have wide-ranging expertise in raw materials, advanced manufacturing processes, and long-standing application and engineering know-how.We have a comprehensive portfolio of carbon, graphite, and carbon fiber products and our integrated value chain covers everything from carbon fiber to composites. With a global sales and distribution network and modern production sites in Europe, North America, and Asia, we are close to our customers throughout the world.

b Winding carbon fibersin the carbon fiber pilot plant

We use this broad base to offer our customers the best solutions possible. That’s how we live up to our claim: Broad Base. Best Solutions. This claim is also upheld by our corporate SGL Excellence philosophy of continuous improvement.

+�More information can be found by visiting:

www.sglgroup.com C sglgroup sglgroup

Composites – Fibers & Materials SGL TECHNOLOGIES GmbHWerner-von-Siemens-Strasse 18 86405 Meitingen/Germanywww.sglgroup.com/cfm

® registered trademarks of SGL CARBON SE 03 2017/0 6NÄ Printed in GermanyThis information is based on our present state of knowledge and is intended to provide general notes on our products and their uses. It should therefore not be construed as guaranteeing specific properties of the prod-ucts described or their suitability for a perticular application. Any existing industrial property rights must be observed. The quality of our products is guaranteed under our “General Conditions of Sale”.

Contact

europe/MIDDLe eAST/AFrICAcfm-europe@sglgroup.com Phone +49 8271 83-2160Fax +49 8271 83-1427

ASIA/pACIFICcfm-asia@sglgroup.com Phone +86 21 6097-6888Fax +86 21 5211-0085

AMerICAScfm-americas@sglgroup.com Phone +1 714-698-8103Fax +1 714-698-8104