Home / News / High performance fiber composites have optimistic future

High performance fiber composites have optimistic future

25 Mar '13

2 min read

Aviation, aerospace, energy and automobile sectors are the key markets, where high performance fiber composites will find ample opportunities.

Jim Kaufmann, Senior Engineer with Woonsocket, Rhode Island based TEAM, Inc. speaking to a standing room only crowd in the recent Techtextil North America 2013 Conference presented an optimistic view for fiber based high performance composite industry.

He outlined some of the challenges that are faced by the high performance fiber composite industry such as: 1) high manufacturing costs compared to competing materials; 2) high energy costs for heating and curing; 3) high raw material costs and 4) environmental concern.

According to Mr. Kaufmann, fiber based high performance composite industry is competing against “plain old steel”. In his view, lack of good composite materials database has deterred market penetration of the high performance fiber composites to a greater extent.

The high performance composite industry is driven by quantifiable specifications and defined criteria. And, therefore generally good database is important.

Number one market lies in the aviation and aerospace industry and the usage of composites in the automotive sector is growing. Although sports industry is maturing, niche opportunities exist in sports, said Kaufmann.

According to The Freedonia Group, the high performance composites market in the United States is expected to grow by 15% annually.

Seshadri Ramkumar

Sports Textiles

Leave your Comments

RECOMMENDED

Garware Technical Fibres named India's best workplace for innovation
Sports Textiles

Covestro & Trans-Textil's Aquair gets vegan certification from PFI
Sports Textiles

Hyosung, Tefron, Santoni to unveil seamless apparel at ISPO Munich
Sports Textiles

General Silicones partners with Latvian activewear startup Phystep
Sports Textiles

SailGP, Mover to make world’s first plastic-free technical sportswear
Sports Textiles

Germany’s BASF supplies Asahi Kasei’s Roica with THF BMB
Sports Textiles

Taiwan’s Dahsheng debuts insole using supercritical foaming tech
Sports Textiles

Pic: The Advanced Functional Fabrics of America

AFFOA partners with Family and Consumer Sciences Education leaders
Sports Textiles

High performance fiber composites have optimistic future

Leave your Comments

Weekly technical textiles newsletter

ABOUT TECHNICAL TEXTILES

Main LINKS

Quick Links

Follow us