Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-15 Origin: Site
As a key raw material for high-performance composite materials, carbon fiber prepreg is widely used in a variety of fields, including aerospace, automotive, sports equipment, rail transportation, and wind power, due to its outstanding advantages, such as lightweight, high strength, corrosion resistance, and high design freedom. However, faced with a wide variety of carbon fiber prepreg products, companies often face challenges when selecting the right carbon fiber prepreg for their industry. So, how do you choose the right carbon fiber prepreg for your industry? This article will help you make an informed choice by focusing on four aspects: prepreg type, performance matching, industry applications, and supplier selection.
Thermoset prepreg: Primarily based on epoxy resins, phenolic resins, BMI, etc., forms a stable structure after curing and is suitable for industries with high strength requirements, such as aerospace.
Thermoplastic prepreg: Using thermoplastic matrix resins such as PA, PPS, and PEEK, it is reproducibly heat-molded and suitable for automated molding and high-efficiency manufacturing scenarios.
Unidirectional fabric (UD fabric): Carbon fibers are primarily arranged in one direction and are suitable for structural parts requiring specific directional strength.
Woven fabric (such as plain weave and twill): A multi-directional weave improves overall interlaminar strength and is suitable for complex curved surfaces or structural components.
| Matrix Type | Characteristics | Applications |
| Epoxy resin | High strength and strong adhesion | Aviation, Automotive, Sports |
| Phenolic resin | High temperature resistance and flame retardant | Rail transit, fire-resistant components |
| BMI resin | Extremely heat-resistant | Aviation engine internal components |
| PEEK/PPS | Thermoplastic and reheatable | Industrial automation, Medical devices |
Requires a material with an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio;
Needs to withstand high temperature fluctuations during flight;
It is recommended to choose high-modulus UD carbon fiber prepreg with a BMI or high-performance epoxy resin matrix.
Emphasizes structural weight reduction and industrialized production efficiency.
It is recommended to choose fast-curing thermoset prepregs or thermoplastic prepregs with automated processing capabilities.
Consider mixing with glass fiber for cost control.
Must meet the comprehensive requirements of aesthetics, lightness, and strength.
Twill prepregs are an option for easy adaptation to complex shapes.
High-gloss resin systems are suitable for enhancing the appearance and quality.
Material requirements require excellent weather resistance and flame retardancy.
Phenolic resin prepregs are recommended, or special flame retardant additives are used to enhance performance.
Also, attention should be paid to interlaminar shear strength to avoid the risk of delamination.
Weight is typically measured in g/m².
The higher the weight, the faster the layup efficiency, but the more complex the molding process.
It is recommended to flexibly select the right prepreg based on the complexity of the part structure.
Glue content affects the mechanical and processing properties of the final composite material.
In the aviation industry, it is typically controlled at 35%-38%, while in the sports equipment industry, it can be adjusted to suit specific needs.
Precise glue content control can significantly reduce the incidence of defects such as bubbles and delamination.
Thermoset prepregs require refrigeration (below -18°C).
Thermoplastic prepregs can also be stored at room temperature, but they still need to be protected from moisture and UV rays.
Selecting a carbon fiber material supplier with standardized packaging and extensive logistics experience can ensure product stability.
Does the supplier have independent R&D capabilities?
Does it provide full-process control from precursor selection, resin formulation, prepreg processing, and testing?
For example, Revolve CF, a carbon fiber material supplier, has many years of experience in prepreg R&D and can customize solutions to meet diverse industry needs.
Does it offer a variety of customization options, including thickness, width, adhesive content, and fiber orientation?
Does it support small batch samples and rapid prototyping?
This is crucial for rapidly advancing new product development cycles.
Does it have ISO9001, AS9100, and ROHS quality system certifications?
Does it provide technical support, process recommendations, and consulting on molding defects after sales?
Specialized suppliers like Revolve CF offer a comprehensive after-sales service offering, making them trustworthy partners.
As a core representative of high-performance materials, carbon fiber prepreg's performance advantages will be unleashed in even more industries in the future. However, material performance requirements vary significantly across industries. Improper selection not only impacts product performance but can also lead to production cost and efficiency issues.
Therefore, when choosing carbon fiber prepreg, it's important not only to thoroughly understand its type and properties but also to align it with your industry's needs. Partnering with experienced and reliable carbon fiber material suppliers is crucial.
To purchase or wholesale high-quality carbon fiber prepreg, please contact Revolve CF at HarveyXu@revolve-cf.com or visit our website to learn more about our products and services: https://www.revolve-cf.com.
