Toho Tenax, a member of the Teijin Group, has developed a thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). It includes reused leftovers of carbon fibers that were not used in the production process of aircraft components. Toho Tenax’s unique technique enables polyether ether ketone (PEEK), which is thermoplastic resin, to be combined with leftovers of CFRP laminate sheets that are processed as a primary structural material of an aircraft. In the thermoplastic CFRP, the weight of carbon fibers accounts around 30% of the total. It has tensile strength, viscosity and chemical proof that can be ensured to be equivalent to those of a virgin product. Its price can be saved by 40-60%. Toho Tenax has succeeded to use the CFRP for creating a sample access panel of an aircraft, so it will be marketed for use in aircrafts and automotive parts.

JCFA News Letter (No.14) June, 2017/Japan Chemical Fibers Association