Carbon fiber is an expensive material, especially when compared to other materials that are very durable. But this is beginning to shift. In the past, one pound of industrial-grade carbon fiber may cost as much as $15, but nowadays, one pound can be purchased for as low as $7.

How is it that this is even possible? Cost considerations related to carbon fiber are undergoing continual development. This decreases the cost of manufacturing, raw materials, and technology. Are you curious about the additional components that go into establishing the carbon fiber price?

The Basic Components

A composite material is what we mean when we talk about carbon fiber. The carbon fiber price is ultimately determined partly by the cost of the components that go into making composite materials, which may include two or more distinct products. Carbon fiber is a composite material made of a variety of materials, including the following:

• Polyacrylonitrile
• Rayon
• Pitch

Thankfully, the industrial sector has diligently developed new approaches and raw materials to lower carbon fiber prices. For instance, scientists are working to create more reactive resins to reduce the time necessary to manufacture carbon fiber.

Energy

Another aspect that contributes to the carbon fiber price is energy. After the PAN and other precursors have been used to form resin fibers, these fibers are subjected to chemical treatments, heat, and stretching before being packaged for sale. After that, the fibers get carbonized, which fortifies them with carbon atoms.

Fortifying each fiber with carbon atoms requires a significant investment of energy. Energy is also necessary to bundle carbon atoms into fibers and threads. The cost of the energy used in the production of carbon fiber is likely the single most costly component.

Production

To produce carbon fiber, several things, such as manpower and equipment, are required. The process of making carbon fiber requires a high level of expertise. Because of this, working in the carbon fiber manufacturing industry is not open to anybody.

The equipment that is essential for the production of carbon fiber is likewise quite cutting-edge. This equipment may cost hundreds of dollars, contributing to the final product's increased cost.

The encouraging news is that, similar to most other industrial sectors; carbon fiber manufacturers are discovering new techniques to automate production. It should come as no surprise that costs are going down, given the decreased cost for highly qualified laborers and the increased longevity of more sophisticated technologies.

The Application And The Technology

There are many other cost considerations related to technology; manufacturing and assembly machines are only two. There will soon be new software for the manufacture of composites available on the market. For example:

• Create simulation software to cut down on the amount of time spent on the design cycle.
• Software for modeling costs that may examine potential sources of efficiency cost
• products of engineering based on the knowledge that reduces the expenses of labor