Colourization of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics

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Standard Tool & Mold (STD) Inc. integrates carbon fiber with plastics using processes based on injection**molding to produce carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs), which combine the high tensile strength and high**modulus of carbon fibers with low-cost, light-weight plastic material. In the automotive industry, CFRPs not**only have great potential to reduce the overall vehicle weight, they are also now being used in high-end**vehicles in part to provide a unique, sophisticated look. There is consequently great consumer demand for new**colours and finishes beyond what can be achieved by painting or other superficial surface finishes. STD Inc.**provides such CFRP parts to the automotive industry for integration in center consoles, dashboards, door**handles, etc. This Engage application will develop low-cost, solution-based processes to coat carbon fiber with**nanometer-thick metal films; subsequently embedding these modified carbon fibers into plastics will create**CFRPs with a metallic, colourful look and will ultimately provide new, exciting options for consumers that will**enable STD Inc. to innovate in this exciting area of the automotive sector. This research will also provide the**new processes and insights critical to planned future research that will explore the use of metal-coated carbon**fiber to electrically connect devices to create highly functional CFRP parts.