HighTempCFK - Out with metal, in with CFC

The automotive and aircraft industry need materials that remain stable even at 600 degrees. An innovative CFC composite provides the solution and a replacement for metal.

Short Description

The lightweight construction sector has a particularly large demand for temperature- resistant materials for high-output manufacturing. Reason enough to develop a cost-efficient, carbon fiber composite (CFC) featuring thermal barrier layers and reflective layers. In materials exposed to extremely high temperatures, the binding matrix (the resin between the carbon fibers) degrades, weakening the composite as a result. Therefore the first production step was dedicated to modifying the resin system.

Temperature-resistant, costefficient resin and new fiber tissue were deployed. This was followed by applying thermally functional barrier layers containing aluminum, titanium and zirconium oxide by means of a material-protecting technique never before used on polymeres, namely plasma injection. In the last step, an oxidation-resistant, infrared reflective layer was applied using physical vapor deposition.

To achieve the necessary thermal shock resistance, the thermal expansion coefficient of the carbon fiber composite was aligned with that of the thermal barrier coating (TBC). Modern, state-of-the-art analytical methods combined with the scientific know-how of JOANNEUM RESEARCH and Material Center Leoben were responsible for the innovative material design featuring optimal layering with special mechanical and thermal characteristics.

CFC - the Material of the Future

Replacing metallic parts with CFC makes it possible to reduce the number and complexity of the components needed for lightweight construction, and benefits manufacturers and end users alike. The three-stage, hybrid production technique is particularly cost-effective because each stage - depending on the temperature resistance of the manufactured components - can be carried out singly or in combination.

The temperature-resistant CFC composite can be deployed in the automotive industry, aircraft industry, the green power market and used for wear and corrosion protection. Secar Technologie forecasts an annual growth of between 20-30 percent by 2021.

Project Partners

Consortium Manager

JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsges.m.b.H. (JR)

Other Consortium Partners

  • Secar Technologie Ges.m.b.H. (SECAR)
  • BVT Beschichtungs- und Verschleißtechnik
  • Gesellschaft m.b.H. (BVT)
  • Materials Center Leoben Forschung GmbH (MCL)

Contact Address

Project Coordinator

Reinhard Kaindl
E-mail: reinhard.kaindl@joanneum.at