The market for milled and chopped carbon fiber is growing at about 10 percent annually according to a new study from Eldib Engineering & Research Inc. (Berkeley Heights, N.J.). The current market for short fibers, milled and chopped, is estimated at 2.7 million lb (1,225 metric tonnes) annually with a value of $25 million (USD).

Eldib says milled carbon fibers are primarily used with polyester and other thermoplastics for the molding of electronic antistatic packaging, like computer housings, and for systemic foam for buoyancy modules in deep-sea oil and gas exploration. The report notes that there are few materials that provide the mechanical strength and heat and electrical conductivity that carbon fiber does.

The report also says that the price of milled carbon fiber depends on whether the short fibers are sourced from virgin tow, from off-grade in-process fiber or from salvaged sources. It says that some producers offer high-grade milled fiber at $11/lb to $14/lb. Others offer commercial grade from salvaged fiber at prices between $5/lb and $10/lb.

Carbon fiber shortages coupled with rising prices have intensified interest in carbon fiber recycling. Emerging process and product testing work has shown that recycled fiber quality can be commercially acceptable for many applications. The investment required for a carbon fiber recycling operation is estimated to be a small fraction of that needed for producing the virgin continuous tow, reports Eldib.

See HPC’s report on carbon fiber recycling, p. 52, this issue.