21st century market opportunities for advanced fibers and composites

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · SAMPE Journal

OSTI ID:380854

Segal, C L ^[1]

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1. OMNIA, Raleigh, NC (United States)

High-strength, high-modulus fibers based upon either carbon, organic polymers, or ceramics are relatively new materials. Full-scale commercial production of these fibers began within the last 25 years. Current sales of advanced fibers are measured in thousands of tons per year, not in hundreds of thousands of tons per year, as are sales of glass structural fibers. Selling prices are measured in tens of dollars per pound as compared to dollars per pound for glass fiber. Therefore, advanced fibers must still be considered as specialty materials that will be selected based only upon their high performance. While much thanks is due to the aerospace and sporting goods industries for keeping the interest in advanced fibers and composites alive, it is generally agreed that the market will not grow (and prices will not decline) until these fibers are accepted in the industrial market. This presentation identifies industrial market opportunities for advanced fibers and composites in the next century, which is actually tomorrow in the time-line from the beginning of commercialization of advanced fibers. Specific, potential applications are cited, and the estimated volumes and values of these application given. 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 380854
• Journal Information: SAMPE Journal, Journal Name: SAMPE Journal Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 32; ISSN 0091-1062; ISSN SAJUAX
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
42 ENGINEERING
ARAMIDS
CARBON FIBERS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
COST
DEMAND
FABRICATION
FIBERS
GLASS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
PRESSURE VESSELS
SHAFTS
SPRINGS
USES