Carbon Fiber Reinforcements

Hexcel manufactures a complete line of HexForce^® woven carbon fabrics. The range includes traditional fabrics (3K, 6K, 12K, 24K), flat-tow 12K and heat-set-uni fabrics. These fabrics use fibers that are produced under stringently controlled conditions, extensive testing and documentation.

Our industrial carbon fabrics utilize many of the same carbon fibers that have been produced with less extensive testing and documentation. Standard Modulus carbon fiber, supplied to the commercial market, yields typical minimum property values of 530 KSI (3,650 MPa) for tensile strength and 34 MSI (234 GPa) for tensile modulus. Higher performance carbon fabrics with increased tensile and modulus properties are available from Hexcel including IM2 industrial intermediate modulus fiber and HM63 industrial high modulus fiber.

The carbon fibers we use contain high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios, carbon fabrics are thermally and electrically conductive and exhibit excellent fatigue resistance. When properly engineered, carbon fabric composites can achieve the strength and stiffness of metals at significant weight savings. Hexcel’s carbon fabrics are compatible with various resin systems including epoxy, Bismaleimide, polyimide, polyester and select thermoplastic resins. Hexcel produces woven carbon fiber reinforcements in a wide variety of areal weights from 98 to 670 gsm.

12K fabrics were developed to provide the flexibility of working with lightweight materials while having the improved economics of 12K carbon fibers.