Taking advantage of its characteristics such as lightweight; 1/4 specific gravity of steel, and high-strength; 10 times as strong as steel, carbon fibers are used in various applications. Beginning with sports applications such as fishing rods and golf shafts, carbon fibers are now applied in aircraft and industrial applications including pressure vessels, windmills, civil engineering / construction-related uses, etc. We expect for the demand to grow by 15% annually in five years from FY 2004 to FY 2010.
There are two types of carbon fibers in species, one is polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fiber made of acrylic fibers and the other is pitch-type made of coal or oil residue.
Currently, the former PAN-based carbon fiber is said to be the mainstream. Toray has been manufacturing PAN-based carbon fibers since 1971 and grew to be the world No. 1 carbon fiber manufacturer boasting 34% of the world market share.
In general, the percentage of industrial application is high among the carbon fiber composite materials sales. However, Toray Group has higher aircraft proportion than that of others. Toray Group is expanding sales of carbon fiber composite materials especially for aircraft.
1.Global operation in three production bases
Toray Group is developing its carbon fiber operations on a global scale with three production bases in Japan, the US, and Europe.
2.Vertical integration from carbon fiber to processed products
We provide not only carbon fibers but also carbon fiber fabrics, prepregs (sheet-form carbon fiber impregnated with epoxy resin), and composite products to customers.
3.Wide-ranging applications for industrial use
Windmill blade
Toray Group's carbon fiber is selected in various industrial applications. Energy-related applications include pressure vessels and windmills for wind turbine generator. Transport machinery applications include drive shafts and rear spoilers for automobiles. In civil engineering and construction-related area, Toray carbon fiber is applied to repair and reinforce bridge piers and decks. In general industrial machineries, major applications are medical equipments, PC chassis, machine parts, etc. Toray Group will proactively develop industrial applications to meet such customers' needs as further weight saving and safety improvement.
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Carbon spoiler |
Deck reinforcement |
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CNG (compressed |
Drive shaft |
Bridge pier reinforcement |
4.Aggressive expansion of aircraft application
Toray Group's carbon fiber occupies a high share in the aircraft market. Through the extended codevelopment with aircraft manufacturers, Toray Group has successfully developed carbon fibers and prepregs that satisfy the strict specifications for aircraft. Obtaining credible achievements, Toray is now the sole supplier of prepregs to the Boeing Company for tail wing of its B777 and primary structure (the parts if broken apart, the plane can no-longer fly) of B787 for main wing, tail wing, and fuselage, etc. Furthermore, Toray is supplying carbon fiber to Airbus Industry which accounts for 50% of their total amount of carbon fiber use. In order to improve lightening and durability of the aircraft, the used amount of carbon fiber is steadily increasing. Toray Group will proactively continue developing technologies as a No. 1 supplier of carbon fibers for aircraft applications.
Boeing 787
