Toyobo Textile Co., Ltd. has developed a new composite yarn “CfC yarn” made of carbon fibres and thermoplastic fibres, applying their composite spinning technology. It has properties allowing easy resin impregnation for reinforcement, and softness allowing easy formation. The company uses the yarns to produce intermediate base materials for thermoplastic carbon fibre composites. The success is thanks to SHIMA SEIKI Mfg., Ltd.’s unique technology. The flat knitting solution provider has launched a solution designed to automatically produce intermediate base materials, utilising the existing “WHOLEGARMENT” technology. Toyobo Textile, together with SHIMA SEIKI, has used the solution and succeeded in arranging the CfC yarns into 3D form.

JCFA News Letter (No.25) August, 2024/Japan Chemical Fibers Association