Humans have always been in a constant hunt for new innovations, in order to make human lives easier. One of the subsequent results of which, has led to the discovery of Carbon fibres. Today, these carbon fibres are used in various forms, across industries. They have even been referred to as ‘workhorse’ of the industries, owing to their versatile use. They are well-known for their high tensile strength, durability, low weight and stiffness. They have the propensity to withstand high temperature and are corrosion & chemical resistant with low tendency to expand upon heating This makes them a valuable material, perfect to be used in different industries. These fibres have some remarkable strength, measuring up to five times that of steel while only weighing one-third of it.
Carbon fibres plates are one of the commonly used forms of these strong carbon fibres. They are composed of multi-layered carbon sheets, held together with the help of epoxy resins. Carbon fibre plates find its application ubiquitously, across a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, drone, robotics, sports equipment, military, medical, to name a few. In this blog, we are going to dive into wide range applications of Carbon fibre plates in various industries in detail.
Aerospace Industry- Aerospace industry was one of the pioneers to exploit the benefits of Carbon fibre. Carbon fibre plates are commonly used in building aircraft structures, rotor blades, and other components due to its high strength-to weight ratio & stiffness. It is also used in aerospace tooling, thereby reducing weight significantly and increasing efficiency.
Automotive Industry- Many well-known luxury car brands like Mercedes-Benz & other high-performance sports or racing cars use carbon fibre sheets to manufacture body panels, vehicle frames & other suspension components. This enables them to reduce weight, fuel consumption and carbon emissions. They also make for a more cost-effective alternative than aluminium.
Construction Industry- Carbon fibre plates are fatigue-resistant & rigid that can withstand extreme conditions, therefore, is well-suited to be used in construction of buildings & bridges to reinforce structure and provide added strength & stability. This makes them a preferred material in most civil engineering projects.
Sports Equipment Industry- Many sports equipment like tennis racket, bicycle wheels & frames, golf clubs, hockey sticks, ice skates, etc are made using these carbon composites allowing them to be lightweight and durable. This is beneficial especially when athletes need to carry their equipment. This enhances efficiency and performance of athletes.
Medical Industry- In Medical industry, they are most popularly used as prosthetics and orthopaedic implants in the form of plates, screws, and rods to repair and support fractures, as well as in spinal implants since carbon fibres are biocompatible which means they don't trigger an immune response. Also, they have a modulus of elasticity that is similar to bone, making them an excellent material for implantation. Moreover, carbon fibre plates are radiolucent, meaning that they are transparent to X-rays. This offers improved imaging, reduced radiation exposure, enhanced safety, and better patient outcomes.
Drone Industry- Drones industry, without any exception, also relies on carbon fibre plates heavily, to construct drone frames, propellers, battery compartments, and other parts. Due to its excellent mechanical properties like high strength and stiffness while being lightweight, drone’s flight time and maneuverability is enhanced, leading to more efficient, durable, and precise drones that are capable of performing multitudes of tasks.
Wind Energy Industry: Carbon fibre plates are excellent for the construction of wind turbine blades due to their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, such as high winds, heavy rain, and extreme temperatures. In addition to that, their lightweight nature also allows for efficient rotation. In this way, Carbon fibre plates ensure better performance and longer lifespan compared to traditional materials.
Defence and Military: Carbon fibre plates are employed in various defence applications, including armour systems, ballistic panels, lightweight vehicle structures, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Their strength and low weight contribute to improved protection and mobility for military personnel and equipment.
Interior & Home décor- Carbon fibre plates are used in modern interior designs and decor to add sleek aesthetic while leveraging the benefits offered by the carbon fibre. They are utilized in furniture, such as tables, chairs, and shelves to create unique designs. They are also used as wall panels, decorative accessories, light fixtures, wall art, which in combination with other materials gives visually striking and unique pieces that have a touch of modernity and sophistication.
Other Industrial Applications- Carbon fibre plates are used in industrial settings in machine parts, robotics, and automation equipment. They offer high rigidity, stability, and resistance to wear and chemicals, enhancing performance and longevity.
These were just some of the industries that employs Carbon fibre plates, however there are other industries such as Interior & décor, marine, defence, wind energy industry, etc., which also uses advanced composite materials like carbon fibre plates. The versatility of Carbon fibre is hard to sum up. But the bottom line is that Carbon fibre plates serve a wide range of benefits and are used extensively in a whole lot of sectors. Therefore, it is not far-fetched to say that, with advancement of technology, the use of carbon fibre plates will expand even more extensively in the coming years, as new applications are discovered.