The
market for continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic
composites has experienced exceptional growth in recent
years with a global growth rate of 105% in last 5 years.
Growth rate in 2002 was 93%.
Continuous fiber reinforced
thermoplastic composites include a variety of products,
including unidirectional prepreg, fabric based prepreg,
narrow tape, commingled fiber in roving and fabric forms,
sheets, and rods. Continuous fiber thermoplastic
composites has a history of about 20 years and it differs
from discontinuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic
composites such as LFRT and GMT in terms of fiber length.
Historically, continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic
composites were used in niche applications in aerospace
and defense market. But in recent years, the market has
exploded in automotive, sporting, transportation,
industrial and other applications.
Common reinforcements used
with thermoplastic composites are E-glass, carbon and
aramid. Resins typically selected are PPS, PEEK,
polypropylene (PP),
Nylon, PC, and
PEI
.
Demand has been driven by a
variety of aerospace, automotive and truck applications.
However, continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic
composites are even finding their way into furniture,
fastener, medical, marine, and other higher performance
applications. Airbus has projected to increase the use of
thermoplastic composites by 20% every year.
The market for
fabricators/end users of continuous fiber reinforced
thermoplastics composites is crowded with smaller and
emerging producers to large corporations such as Airbus,
Boeing and Peguform. Suppliers
of thermoplastic composites are mostly based in
North America
and
Europe
with small to big names such as Cytec, Saint Gobaine, and
Hexcel.
The study, “Opportunities
in Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites
2003-2008” assesses the current and forecast market for
almost all types of material forms such as prepregs,
commingled fiber in roving and fabric forms, sheets and
rods. The study also profiles molders and leading
producers of thermoplastic composites. The key features of
the market study are:
-
Market
size in terms of lb and $ value for continuous fiber
reinforced thermoplastic composites.
-
Continuous
fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites market
breakdown by type of material form (prepreg,
commingled fiber, etc.), by type of resins and by type
of reinforcements used.
-
Comparison
of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic market
with discontinuous fiber (LFRT, GMT) reinforced
thermoplastic composites market as well as with
thermoset based composites market. Market size for
LFRT, GMT and thermoset composites.
-
Thermoplastic
composites market breakdown by region and by
application (automotive, aerospace, industrial, etc.).
-
Growth
trend (1990-2002) and market forecast for 2008.
-
List
of more than 100 applications of continuous fiber
reinforced thermoplastic composites. Detailed study of
40 applications with lists materials used, molder
name, and application description.
-
Description
and contact addresses of 50 part fabricators / molders.
-
Profiles
on material suppliers.
-
Manufacturing
technologies for processing thermoplastic composites.
-
And
much .. much more.
E-Composites, Inc. is a US
based business consulting firm serving the plastics and
composite materials industries. E-Composites, Inc. has
been tracking the composites industry for many years and
has customers ranging from small to multi-national
companies such as AOC, Conoco, Dow Chemical, Dow Corning,
GE, General Motors, Hexcel, Johns Manville, Lockheed
Martin, Owens Corning, Saint Gobain, and many more.
To
get table of contents, pricing and other information on
this report titled "Opportunities in continuous fiber
thermoplastic composites 2003-2008",
please e-mail Helpdesk@e-composites.com or call Tel.: 972-636-5056 in USA.
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