Kuraray has started shipping samples of a surface-smoothing sheet for carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) for its future commercialisation. The sheet is made of phenoxy (thermoplastic epoxy) meltblown nonwovens, and adheres well to epoxy resins usually used as binder of CFRP. It helps smooth unevenness of a CFRP surface when processed with heat thereon, which allows simple polishing after the heat processing. It also allows CFRP’s unique weaving patterns to look clear from all aspects. The sheet is expected to be used for products desired to have stylish appearance, for example, surfaces of car bodies and parts, golf shafts, and bike frames.

JCFA News Letter (No.22) November, 2022/Japan Chemical Fibers Association