Fibre materials

In fibre-reinforced lightweight construction

Fibre-reinforced composites consist of two main components: the fibres, which determine the mechanical strength and stiffness, and the matrix, which surrounds and protects the fibres and distributes forces within the material. Choosing the right matrix material is crucial for the performance of the composite as it significantly influences the thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties of the material.

Fibre-reinforced composites have established themselves as essential materials in numerous industries – from aerospace to automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, medical technology, and the sports industry. Their success lies in the combination of high specific strength, low weight, and excellent resistance to environmental influences. These properties enable a significant reduction in material weight while maintaining high mechanical performance, which is particularly important in modern lightweight construction. The core component of a fibre-reinforced composite is the fibre used, which largely determines the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. They bear the load and thus play a major role in the performance of the material. Choosing the right fibre is therefore essential for the final application of the composite material.

The most important fibre materials include:

  • Carbon fibres (CF): outstanding stiffness and strength at low weight, preferred in high-performance applications
  • Glass fibres (GF): cost-efficient, good mechanical properties, and high chemical resistance, widely used across many industries
  • Aramid fibres (AF): extremely high impact resistance, particularly relevant in protective cloghting and ballistic applications
  • Basalt fibres (BF): sustainable alternative to glass fibres with high temperature resistance and good chemical resilience
  • Natural fibres (NF): environmentally friendly, lightweight, and suitable for many sustainable applications, offering a good balance betwenn mechanical performance ecology

Each of these fibres has specific advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when selecting a material for a particular application. While carbon fibres offer maximum performance, glass and basalt fibres often represent more economical alternatives. Aramid fibres offer particular benefits in terms of impact resistance, while natural fibres score points for their sustainability.

Importance of Fibres in Composite Materials

The fibres in a composite material assume the load-bearing function and give the material high tensile strength as well as excellent fatigue resistance. Depending on the type of fibre, the properties of the composite material vary significantly:

  • Stiffness and strength: Carbon fibres offer the highest stiffness, while glass and basalt fibres provide a balanced trade-off between performance and cost
  • Impact resistance: Aramid fibres are particularly resistant to impact loafs, making them ideal for ballistic protective materials
  • Temperature resistance: Basalt fibres withstand high temperatures better than glass fibres and offer excellent resistance to thermal degradation
  • Sustainability: Natural fibres are biodegradable and help reduce the ecological footprint

The fibres are usually embedded into a matrix in the form of fabrics, non-crimp fabrics, rovings, or chopped fibres, which evenly distributes the forces and protects the fibres from environmental influences.

The choice of suitable fibre material strongly depends on the specific requirements of the application. Carbon fibres dominate high-performance applications where maximum stiffness and low weight are crucial. Glass and basalt fibres offer a more economical alternative with good mechanical properties, while aramid fibres excel in impact- and heat-resistant applications. Natural fibres are increasingly coming into focus for sustainable product development as they represent an environmentally friendly alternative with acceptable mechanical performance. 

The development of fibre-reinforced composites in the coming years will increasingly focus on sustainable and recyclable solutions. New hybrid composites, improved manufacturing processes, and innovative material combinations offer promising approaches to meet both ecological and economic challenges.

The main advantages of fibre-reinforced lightweight construction at a glance

<p class="text-xl"><span class="font-bold">High strength with low weight</span></p><p class="text-lg"><span class="font-bold"><span class="font-normal">Maximum performance with minimal material usage, ideal for lightweight construction applications. </span> <br></span></p><p></p>

High strength with low weight

Maximum performance with minimal material usage, ideal for lightweight construction applications.

<p class="text-xl"><span class="font-bold">Customizable properties</span></p><p class="text-lg">The targeted combination of fibers and matrix materials allows mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties to be precisely tailored to specific requirements. </p>

Customizable properties

The targeted combination of fibers and matrix materials allows mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties to be precisely tailored to specific requirements.

<p class="text-xl"><span class="font-bold">Corrosion-Resistance</span></p><p class="text-lg">Excellent resistance to environmental influences and chemicals, which extends the lifespan of components. </p>

Corrosion-Resistance

Excellent resistance to environmental influences and chemicals, which extends the lifespan of components.

<p class="text-xl"><span class="font-bold">Design freedom</span></p><p class="text-lg">Enables the realization of complex geometries and innovative constructions that would be difficult to achieve with traditional materials. </p>

Design freedom

Enables the realization of complex geometries and innovative constructions that would be difficult to achieve with traditional materials.