Details
Carbon fiber tapes are high-strength, lightweight reinforcing materials made by aligning carbon fibers in a single direction (unidirectional) or weaving them together into a narrow strip, usually with or without pre-applied resin (prepreg or dry tape). It is widely used for local reinforcement, automated tape laying, and structural repairs in industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, and construction.
Carbon fiber tapes offer accurate fiber placement and great directional strength, making them excellent for customizing mechanical qualities in composite products.
What are the key features of carbon fiber tapes?
High Tensile Strength & Modulus: Tensile modulus ranging from 230 GPa (standard modulus) to 600 GPa (ultra-high modulus).
Excellent Directional Properties (particularly in unidirectional form)
Available in Dry, Prepreg, or Thermoplastic Forms
Lightweight & Thin Profile: Density of 1.75–1.85 g/cm³ (lighter than aluminum or steel).
Customizable Widths and Resin Systems
Easy to Apply for Spot Repairs or Reinforcement
Compatible with Hand Lay-Up, Vacuum Bagging
How many types of carbon fiber tapes are there?
By Fiber Orientation
Unidirectional (UD) Tape:
Fibers aligned in a single direction (0°), delivering maximum strength along the tape's length.
Woven Tape:
Includes plain or twill weave; offers multidirectional strength and better conformability.
What are the advantages of carbon fiber tapes?
High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Critical for aerospace, automotive, and sporting goods.
Design Flexibility: Tailored layups for anisotropic strength.
Fatigue Resistance: Superior to metals in cyclic loading environments.
Corrosion and Impact Resistance: Immune to rust, chemicals, and moisture.
Smooth Finish: Minimal fiber print-through for aesthetic surfaces.
Better Handling and Placement
Flexible Dimensions and Resin Systems
Automation-Friendly: Compatible with Automated Tape Laying (ATL) and Fiber Placement (AFP) machines.
Product Parameter：
Parameter | Typical Value |
Fiber Type | PAN-based carbon (3k, 6k, 12k, 24k) |
Tape Width | 5 mm – 300 mm (customizable) |
Areal Weight (g/m²) | 50 – 300 g/m² (depends on fiber and tape type) |
Resin Content (Prepreg) | 33% ±3% by weight (adjustable) |
Tensile Strength | 3,500 – 5,500 MPa (depending on fiber grade) |
Tensile Modulus | 230 – 600 GPa |
Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | 90°C to 200°C+ (depends on resin system in prepreg) |
Thickness (Prepreg UD Tape) | 0.08 mm – 0.25 mm per ply |
Resin System | Epoxy, BMI, Phenolic (for prepreg); PEEK, PPS (thermoplastic) |
Weave Type (Woven tape) | Plain, twill (for woven carbon tapes) |
What applications are carbon fiber tapes used in?
Carbon fiber tapes are widely used in structural and functional applications across various industries:
Aerospace
Structural reinforcement of fuselage, wing skins
Repair of composite panels
Automated tape laying in aircraft manufacturing
Automotive
Race car body panels
Chassis and frame strengthening
High-performance composite components
Construction and Civil Engineering
Structural repair and retrofitting of concrete beams and columns (FRP wrapping)
Seismic strengthening
Marine
Hull reinforcement
Deck structural elements
Mast strengthening
Industrial and General Composites
Robotic arms
Pressure vessels
Sporting goods like hockey sticks and bicycles
How to store and handle carbon fiber tapes?
Dry Tape:
oStore in a cool, dry place (15–25°C) away from UV light and moisture.
oAvoid folding or creasing to maintain fiber alignment.
Prepreg Tape:
oFreeze at -18°C in sealed, moisture-proof packaging.
oThaw at room temperature for 12–24 hours before use.
oLimit out-time to ≤30 days at 21°C (50% RH).
Handling:
oWear gloves to prevent contamination.
oUse sharp blades (e.g., carbide, laser) to cut without fraying.
FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between carbon fiber tapes and carbon fabrics?
A: Carbon fiber tapes are typically narrow, aligned (UD) and used for localized reinforcement, whereas carbon fabric is wider and woven, used for general laminate layers.
Q: Can I use dry carbon tapes with resin infusion?
A: Yes, dry carbon fiber tapes are compatible with wet lay-up, resin infusion, or hand lamination.
Q: What are the advantages of using carbon prepreg tape?
A: Carbon prepreg tapes offer precise resin control, superior mechanical properties, and automated processing capabilities like ATL (Automated Tape Laying) and AFP (Automated Fiber Placement).
Q: Are carbon tapes suitable for structural repair?
A: Absolutely. They are commonly used in concrete retrofitting, aircraft repair, and automotive panel reinforcement, often applied with compatible adhesives or resins.
Q: Can carbon fiber tapes be curved or shaped?
A: Yes, woven or thinner UD tapes can conform to curved surfaces. However, sharp bends may require additional layers or heat-assisted forming.
Q: Can I custom order of carbon tapes a specific width or resin system?
A: Yes, we offer custom widths (e.g., 10 mm, 25 mm) and resin systems tailored to your application (e.g., epoxy, phenolic, PEEK).
Q: Is the prepreg carbon tape stronger than dry carbon tape?
A: Prepreg carbon tapes offer controlled resin content and lower void levels, but dry carbon tape allows custom resin systems.
Q: How to recycle carbon fiber tapes?
A: Thermoplastic tapes can be re-melted. Thermoset tapes require pyrolysis, which degrades fibers.
Q: What is the cost comparison of carbon fiber tapes to metals?
A: Carbon fiber tapes have higher upfront cost, but lifecycle savings from weight reduction, durability, and fuel efficiency.
Q: Can carbon fiber tape be patched if damaged?
A: Yes, it can be patched. Just sand the area, apply fresh tape/resin, and re-cure.
