Industrial Grade PAN Carbon Fiber 48K (IGPAN-48K)

Description

1. Product Overview

IGPAN-48K is a high-tow, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fiber engineered for large-scale industrial compounding and prepregging. Its primary industrial use lies in automated, high-volume manufacturing of lightweight structural components for renewable energy, automotive, and civil engineering sectors. The key value proposition is exceptional tensile performance at a significantly lower cost-per-kilogram than 12K or 24K tows, enabling mass-market carbon fiber adoption. Strategically, IGPAN-48K bridges the gap between aerospace-grade materials and commercial-grade reinforcement, making lightweighting economically viable for energy transition infrastructure.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical Composition: PAN-based carbon, >94% carbonization yield, surface treated with proprietary sizing (epoxy-compatible, optional thermoplastic sizing available)

• Purity / Grade: Industrial Grade; ash content ≤0.10%; volatiles ≤1.0%

• Physical Characteristics:

  • Tow size: 48,000 filaments ±2%

  • Filament diameter: 7.0 µm nominal

  • Linear density: 3,200 tex ±3%

  • Density: 1.78–1.80 g/cm³

  • Tensile strength: 3,800–4,200 MPa

  • Tensile modulus: 230–240 GPa

  • Elongation at break: 1.7–1.9%

  • Color: Matte black

  • Form: Continuous spooled tow (no splices on 4 kg spools)

• Packaging Options: 4 kg spools (cardboard/steel flange), 16 kg cartons, 400 kg octabins. Anti-static lined.

• Shelf Life: 24 months in original unopened packaging (15–25°C, <60% RH)

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Wind Energy (primary): Longitudinal spar caps for >80m blades. IGPAN-48K reduces lamination cycles by 40% vs. 12K tow, directly lowering blade cost per megawatt.

• Automotive & Commercial Vehicles: Compression-molded battery enclosures and leaf springs. Higher tow size enables faster layup rates, cutting cycle time by 30% in automated fiber placement (AFP) systems.

• Civil Infrastructure: Seismic retrofitting wraps and prestressed concrete tendons. Superior alkali resistance and creep rupture life outperform E-glass by 5x under sustained load.

• Hydrogen Storage (Type IV tanks): Helical winding for 350–700 bar vessels. Cost per filament-wound layer is 25% lower than 24K, enabling competitive heavy-duty transport storage.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality Consistency: Every lot tested to ASTM D4018; coefficient of variation (CV) for tensile strength <5%; real-time SPC monitoring from precursor to winding.

• Supply Reliability: Dual-source PAN precursor (Japan/South Korea) + captive oxidation lines; 99.5% on-time delivery record; 6-month rolling forecast buffer stock.

• Logistics Capability: Direct factory-to-port consolidation (Shanghai/Rotterdam/Houston) with temperature-controlled container options.

• Price Competitiveness: $14–16/kgFOB(versus$22–28/kg for equivalent 24K industrial grade) – volume discounts from 20 MT.

• Sustainability: 40% lower CO₂ per kg than standard PAN carbon fiber (renewable energy in graphitization + recycled waste heat); full EPD available.

• Technical Support: Free process optimization consultation (AFP/winding parameters); certificate of analysis with each shipment; on-site commissioning for >50 MT contracts.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): BULK 20 MT (mixed spool sizes permitted)

• Loading Capacity: 18 MT per 20-ft dry container (pallets with octabins)
  *Note: 40-ft HC container can load up to 26 MT with custom pallet configuration – please specify at order.*

Lead time: 4–6 weeks from PO and deposit.
Incoterms preferred: FOB Shanghai / CIF major global ports.