Continuous Fiber composites (CFC) are the perfect amalgamation of variety of materials, fibers and resins, etc. Based on the type, CFCs are categorized by fiber type which is further classified into carbon and glass fibers. CFCs are used across industries including automotive, electrical & electronics, construction, energy, sports goods and aerospace & defense. CFCs are particularly known for their lightweight, high strength, high resistance against corrosion and excessive heat & fatigue. Also, they are easy to maintain and have long serviceable life with stiffness retention properties. In the aerospace industry, the type of CFC that is being widely used are both glass Fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and carbon Fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). CFCs are also classified based on their applications and on the end-use industries. According to a recent market research report published by BIS Research titled, Global CFC Market for Aerospace Industry – Focus by Type and Application, the market for Aerospace Industry is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% till 2023.
The chemical and advanced material industry is striving to innovate and offer technologically advanced products in the CFC market to fulfill the demand for these products across industries and for multiple applications in these industries. The aerospace & defense industry, specifically requires the use of materials which are robust in nature, high in performance and CFCs are best for it. With the help of consistent technical advancements and innovations, these CFCs are now being used in the primary structure of the aircraft such as fuselages and wings. CFCs are also widely used for commercial aircraft due to their reduced weight which aids in better fuel economy and eventually reduces the overall operational cost.
Over the years the use of CFC material has increased significantly, at present Boeing 787 is 50% made from the composite materials, which results in around 20% of average weight saving, thus improving the overall fuel efficiency. The use of CFCs in the military aircraft has also increased in the recent past. At present, they are being used for wing skins, flaperons, rudder of the aircraft and in forward fuselage etc. Other than this, the CFC market is further bifurcated based on regional classification. Currently, Europe is leading the market in terms of volume which was estimated as 66.8 Kilotons in the year 2017. Further, as per the projections, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at a fast pace as compared to others.