Mitsubishi Chemical Develops Ultra-High-Strength Composite Material
February 13, 2025, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Inc. (MCAM) announced a significant technological innovation—the successful development of an ultra-high-strength composite material that demonstrates exceptional performance in injection molding processes. This breakthrough not only marks a major advancement in composite material technology but also brings a new option for lightweight, high-strength materials to multiple industries.
Known as "KyronMAX," this composite material is a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) made by meticulously mixing short carbon fibers with thermoplastic resin. Compared to traditional thermoset CFRPs or SMCs (Sheet Molding Compounds), KyronMAX exists in granular form, making it easier to mass-produce complexly shaped molded products. More importantly, KyronMAX utilizes advanced composite technology and carbon fiber processing techniques to achieve significant enhancements in strength and stiffness, with a maximum tensile strength of 383 MPa, which is over 70% higher than general glass fiber-reinforced resins and over 30% higher than general carbon fiber-reinforced resins.
The uniqueness of KyronMAX lies in its high strength, high stiffness, and excellent mechanical properties, which make it comparable to metallic materials such as aluminum and magnesium, and even surpass them in some aspects. Meanwhile, its specific gravity is approximately 40% lower than aluminum and 30% lower than magnesium, playing a significant role in reducing component weight. Therefore, KyronMAX is poised to become an ideal choice in many fields where traditional resin materials are difficult to replace metals.
MCAM showcased the exceptional performance of KyronMAX composite material at the "New Functional Materials Exhibition" and announced that the material has already been applied in drone parts, LED hand torches for firefighters, and motorcycle mufflers. Additionally, KyronMAX is being actively promoted as an alternative to aluminum mold parts, enabling the production of high-performance components through injection molding processes.
The reason KyronMAX composite material can achieve such high performance lies in its special composite technology and carbon fiber processing techniques. By using short carbon fibers as reinforcing materials, KyronMAX maintains excellent mechanical properties while exhibiting smaller anisotropy, making molded products less prone to warping or twisting. Furthermore, compared to materials containing long fibers, KyronMAX experiences relatively small strength losses at weld lines and outperforms other short fiber-reinforced plastics in terms of mechanical strength.
This innovative achievement by Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Inc. not only sets a new benchmark for the composite material industry but also brings a new option for lightweight, high-strength materials to various fields such as automotive, aerospace, and sporting goods. With the widespread application of KyronMAX composite material, we have reason to believe that this innovative technology will play an important role in driving technological advancements and industrial upgrades in related industries.
In the future, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Inc. will continue to dedicate itself to the research and development of composite materials, continuously launching more high-performance, eco-friendly composite material products, and providing global customers with even better solutions and services. At the same time, the company will strengthen cooperation and exchanges with global partners to jointly promote the development and prosperity of the composite material industry.
