Teijin Carbon America, Inc.

In our last series of posts we gave you an exciting insight into the production of carbon fiber - from oxidation and carbonization, surface treatment and coating to quality control and shipping.     You can read more about this, and about our plant in Greenwood, South Carolina, in the Composites World Planttour article. By the way, the article is one of the most read articles in 2024.     Thank you for your interest in our technologies, which are driving lightweighting and sustainability across a range of industries.  https://lnkd.in/dp7zr_7F #planttour #CarbonFiberProduction #Lightweighting

Insights into carbon fiber production (part 5/5)  Behind the scenes - laboratory quality assurance     At the forefront of quality assurance is Teijin America's laboratory. Here, at the final stage of our production process, we inspect every roll of carbon fiber to the highest standards. A sophisticated computer system in the lab randomly selects samples from each production run for testing based on our customers' specific requirements.    In the lab, we perform a variety of tests including weight, density, and chemical analysis. We use advanced methods to test the coating chemistry and ensure the precise amount of coating applied. In addition, our labs are equipped to perform mechanical tests on epoxy to ensure optimal customization.    Our rigorous testing at the start of production ensures that all settings are correct before a full run begins. The results of each batch are checked against a centralized database to ensure compliance with customer specifications and the highest quality of our products. At Teijin America, we don't just make products, we guarantee quality that goes beyond.    #carbonfiberproduction #carbonfiber #laboratory #qualitycontrol 

Insights into carbon fiber production (Part 4/5)  From quality control to shipping    At Teijin America, the final step in the production of our carbon fibers is just as important as the production itself. After our fibers are treated and processed, they enter quality control, where optical cameras and visual inspections ensure that each yarn meets the highest standards. These stringent controls allow us to track the quality of each batch and ensure that only the best reaches our customers.  Our state-of-the-art winding machines automatically change spools to ensure efficiency and minimal downtime. Each spool is visually inspected for packaging integrity, weighed and barcoded to ensure complete traceability. Finally, each spool is shrink-wrapped and prepared for shipment.    #carbonfiberproduction #carbonfiber #qualitycontroll #shipping  

Why pre-stressed prepag tapes are ideal for thermoplastic composites   Thermoplastic composites offer significant advantages due to their reduced processing time, but the time-consuming lay-up process remains a challenge.     The aim of our latest study is to optimize the lay-up process using pre-stressed Prepag tapes. To this end, the use of automatically prefabricated pre-stressed rolls has been compared to the standard process of using hand-welded material on site to produce components.  The study clearly shows that pre-stressed Prepag tapes are superior in several ways:    🔹 Efficiency and consistency: The pre-stressed prepreg process delivers high weld quality and overlap consistency, reducing material breakage and downtime.  🔹 Ergonomics and Safety: Less manual intervention and clearer material markings not only make work more efficient, but also safer for technicians.  🔹 Huge time savings: A 45-60% reduction in total lab time means faster production and more flexibility.    Pre-stressed Prepag tapes are robust, flexible and ideal for integration into existing production environments - perfect for the growth of the aerospace industry. For more information on the study and the use of pre-stressed Prepag tapes, please contact our experts Jean-Philippe Canart.            Darum sind Pre-stressed Prepag Tapes ideal für Thermoplastische Verbundwerkstoffe   Thermoplastische Verbundwerkstoffe bieten durch ihre verkürzte Verarbeitungszeit erhebliche Vorteile, doch der zeitintensive Lay-up-Prozess bleibt eine Herausforderung.     Ziel unserer jüngsten Studie ist es, den Lay-up-Prozess durch den Einsatz Pre-stressed Prepag Tapes zu optimieren. Dazu wurde der Einsatz von automatisch vorgefertigten Bias-Lagen-Rollen mit dem Standardverfahren verglichen, bei dem handgeschweißtes Material direkt vor Ort zur Herstellung von Bauteilen verwendet wird.  Die Studie zeigt deutlich, dass Pre-stressed Prepag Tapes in mehreren Aspekten überlegen sind:    🔹 Effizienz und Konsistenz: Die Pre-stressed Prepreg-Methode überzeugt mit hoher Schweißqualität und Überlappungskonsistenz, was Materialbrüche und Stillstandzeiten reduziert.  🔹 Ergonomie und Sicherheit: Weniger manuelle Eingriffe und klarere Materialmarkierungen machen die Arbeit nicht nur effizienter, sondern auch sicherer für die Techniker.  🔹 Enorme Zeitersparnis: Eine Reduzierung der Gesamtlaborzeit um 45–60 % sorgt für schnellere Produktion und mehr Flexibilität.    Pre-stressed Prepag Tapes sind robust, flexibel und optimal für die Integration in bestehende Produktionsumgebungen – perfekt für das Wachstum der Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie. Weitere Informationen zu Studie und zum Einsatz von Pre-stressed Prepag Tapes erhalten Ihr von unseren Experten Jean-Philippe Canart.       #PrestressedPrepagTapes #ThermoplasticComposites #Carbonfiber #Research       

Carbon fibers instead of metals   Carlos Leão Leutewiler's presentation at CBECIMAT 2024 focused on a forward-looking topic: the use of carbon fiber composites as a sustainable and high-performance alternative to metals such as aluminum and steel - especially in the aerospace industry. ✈️🌍    The main advantages in structural applications are:  - Lightweight and high strength: Carbon fibers are extremely lightweight (four times lighter than steel) while providing excellent specific strength and stiffness. This enables the construction of lighter, stronger and more efficient structures.    - Corrosion resistance and durability: Unlike traditional materials such as steel, carbon fiber composites are resistant to corrosion, significantly extending their service life and reducing maintenance costs.    - Thermal stability: With a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, carbon fiber components remain dimensionally stable even under extreme temperature fluctuations, ideal for precision and heavy-duty applications.    - Recycling and environmental friendliness: Carbon fiber composites can be recycled and reused in new products. This conserves resources and significantly reduces environmental impact. - Flexibility and adaptability: The anisotropic properties of carbon fibers allow them to adapt to specific design and manufacturing requirements, making them versatile for a wide range of industries.    With these advantages, it is clear that carbon fiber composites play a key role in sustainable transformation, especially in the aerospace industry. It shows how carbon fiber composites can push the boundaries towards more efficient, lighter and greener industries.  The future belongs to lightweighting - and carbon fiber is leading the way. #LightweightConstruction #CarbonFiber #Sustainability

Performance meets reliability: carbon fiber for industry  In industry, performance and reliability are critical. Carbon fiber is setting new standards, especially in carbon rollers and timing belts, which significantly increase efficiency in numerous applications.    Carbon fiber drive shafts and industrial rolls are used in the paper and film industries. The high stiffness and natural damping properties result in smoother running with less vibration. Carbon fiber-reinforced timing belts offer high wear resistance and strength. They are ideal for industrial machinery, motorcycles and bicycles, as their light weight results in more efficient operation and less maintenance.    Together with our customers, we are working to integrate strength and efficiency into industrial applications to reduce the environmental footprint. A good example of this is our collaboration with INOMETA, a technology leader in innovative lightweight solutions, functional surfaces, and battery and fuel cell production. Inometa develops, manufactures and finishes rotating elements for the film, paper, printing and packaging industries - including our high-performance CFRP carrier rods, which are used in flexographic and digital printing.        Leistung trifft Zuverlässigkeit: Carbonfaser für die Industrie.  In der Industrie sind Leistung und Zuverlässigkeit entscheidend. Carbonfasern setzen neue Maßstäbe, insbesondere in Carbonwalzen und Antriebs-/Zahnriemen, die die Effizienz in zahlreichen Anwendungen erheblich steigern.    Antriebswellen und Industriewalzen aus Carbonfasern werden in der Papier- und Folienindustrie eingesetzt. Durch die hohe Steifigkeit und die natürlichen Dämpfungseigenschaften wird ein ruhigerer Lauf mit weniger Vibrationen erreicht. Antriebs- und Zahnriemen, verstärkt mit Carbonfasern, zeichnen sich durch ihre hohe Verschleißfestigkeit und Stabilität aus. Sie sind ideal für Industriemaschinen, Motorräder und Fahrräder geeignet, da ihr geringes Gewicht zu effizienterem Betrieb und geringerer Wartung führt.  Gemeinsam mit unseren Kunden arbeiten wir daran, Stärke und Effizienz in industrielle Anwendungen zu integrieren und so den ökologischen Fußabdruck zu reduzieren. Ein starkes Beispiel dafür ist unsere Zusammenarbeit mit INOMETA, einem Technologieführer für innovative Leichtbaulösungen, Funktionsoberflächen sowie Batterie- und Brennstoffzellenherstellung. Inometa entwickelt, fertigt und veredelt rotierende Elemente für die Folien-, Papier-, Druck- und Verpackungsindustrie – darunter auch unsere High-Performance CFK-Trägerstangen, die im Flexo- und Digitaldruck zum Einsatz kommen.   #carbonrollers #timingbelt #beltdrive #carbonfiber #bettertogether   

Happy Thanksgiving 🍂🍁 Today we take a moment to reflect on all that we're thankful for - and at the top of our list is our incredible team, valued partners, and loyal customers. Your dedication, hard work, and innovative spirit is what drives us forward every day. Together, we're building a brighter, more sustainable future, and we couldn't be more grateful. As we celebrate this season of gratitude, we're reminded that it's our collective efforts that make the difference - in the industry and beyond. We hope you all have a warm and joyous Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and, of course, great food! #HappyThanksgiving #Thankful #Thanksgiving2024

CBECiMat 2024: A New Perspective for the World of Materials Yesterday, our expert Carlos Leão Leutewiler gave an exciting presentation at the prestigious Brazilian Congress of Materials Science and Engineering (CBECiMat) in Fortaleza. The focus? Carbon fiber composites in structural applications as an alternative for metals. With impressive data and innovative approaches, Carlos showed how carbon composites are transforming industry - especially aerospace: ✔️ Lighter than steel - ¼ the density with superior strength. ✔️ Flexibility through anisotropy - tailored properties for each application. ✔️ Better environmental performance - less weight means less resource consumption and lower emissions. His presentation highlighted how a shift in thinking to carbon fiber composites not only improves performance, but also contributes to a healthier planet. #healthplanet #CarbonFiberComposites #CBECiMat2024 #Fortaleza

Tenax™ carbon fibers for safe and efficient pressure vessels Our Tenax™ carbon fibers offer the perfect solution to produce safe, durable, and efficient pressure vessels used in various vehicles and applications. Whether in commercial and passenger vehicles, hydrogen-powered trains, and boats, or for the storage and transportation of bulk materials, Tenax™ ensures reliable performance. In hydrogen and CNG (compressed natural gas) tanks, our carbon fibers enable the safe storage of gases at high pressures. Several products from our portfolio are used, including Tenax™ filament yarn, Tenax™ thermoplastics and Tenax™ thermosets. These materials contribute to the robust yet lightweight construction of the tanks, enabling the safe transport of gases in the automotive, marine and rail industries.   #tenax #carbonfiber #pressurevessels

🌍 World Children's Day - The future is in their hands!     Today we celebrate Universal Children's Day and take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of education, equality and sustainability for the next generation.    Children are our future - and it is our duty to leave them a world worth living in. By giving them the opportunity to be curious, to learn and to take responsibility, we are laying the foundation for a better future.    Let's work today - and every day - to create a world where all children can grow up safe, happy and full of hope. 🌱💙    #WorldChildrensDay #Future #Children