First Batch of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Prepreg Successfully Rolls Off Production Line

On March 31, 2025, the company’s first batch of carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene (CF/PP) prepreg officially commenced production at its Nanjing base.

Technological Breakthrough

Carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) prepreg, as a representative green and low-carbon material, combines the high strength of carbon fiber with the plasticity and corrosion resistance of polypropylene. However, its large-scale production has long been constrained by two major technical bottlenecks: the difficulty in achieving strong interfacial bonding between the PP matrix and carbon fiber, and the insufficient stability of continuous impregnation processes. To address these challenges, the company collaborated with Shandong University to establish a dedicated research team. Through innovative development of a "high-compatibility polypropylene resin matrix" and a "low-damage carbon fiber surface treatment technology," the project team successfully increased the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the composite material to over 35 MPa.

Industrial Synergy: Closed-Loop "Industry-University-Research-Application" Powering Innovation

The project adopted an "Industry-University-Research-Application" (IURA) collaborative model to enhance carbon fiber performance. The cooperative research team from Shandong University independently developed a thermoplastic sizing agent for surface treatment, producing thermoplastic carbon fibers with improved wear resistance, excellent spreadability, and surface functional groups that enhance bonding with thermoplastic resins. Meanwhile, the R&D team at the company’s Ningbo base developed a specialized polypropylene (PP) resin for carbon fiber composites, featuring high melt flow index, superior fluidity, and excellent fiber wettability. Test results demonstrated that the combination of these two materials achieved an interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) exceeding 35 MPa, validating the effectiveness of the collaborative innovation approach.

Application Scenario: Empowering Green Transformation in High-End Manufacturing

The newly launched CF/PP prepreg targets three core application sectors

1.​Automotive Lightweighting: Applied in chassis, body structural components, cargo compartments, and battery enclosures, achieving 30-50% weight reduction while significantly enhancing EV range performance.

2.​Rail Transit Applications: Carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene (CF/PP) composites are engineered for train carriages and bogie frames, delivering ultra-low aerodynamic resistance and exceptional rigidity to meet the demands of high-speed (>400 km/h) and maglev operations.

3.​Low-Cost, Low-Altitude Economy Applications: CF/PP composites replaces traditional aluminum alloys in aerospace structures, delivering superior thrust-to-weight ratios and fuel efficiency .