Our markets : Carbon fiber
The basis for Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is the unique precursor for carbon fibre, the reinforcement fibre of choice in high performance composites for high strength applications. Carbon fiber is used in aerospace & defense, automotive, wind energy and sport & leisure devices.
High tensile strength
In terms of total volume it is still a modest specialty application segment for acrylonitrile, but growing at double digit rates. The key advantages of PAN based carbon fiber is the high tensile strength and modulus it brings. The main drawback of carbon Fiber is its relatively high cabon footprint. But the use of renewable energy in combination with Econitrile can radically improve this.
Applications
Carbon fibres are used in:
- Aircraft structures (e.g. 30 mt in Boeing 787 / Airbus A350)
- Wind turbine blades
- Pressure vessels
- Lightweight car bodies
- Sports equipment
- Fire-resistant clothing
- Building and construction
