TORAYCA™ T1100G and TORAYCA™ M40X developed by Toray Industries, Inc.
TORAYCA™ T1100G and TORAYCA™ M40X are third-generation carbon fibers that achieve both strength and stiffness (elastic modulus) at a higher level than conventional first- and second-generation carbon fibers.
Please refer to this page for an overview of the third-generation carbon fibers and details of T1100G and M40X.
Third-generation carbon fibers combine strength and stiffness (elastic modulus) both at a high dimension, which has been considered technically challenging. Generally, there is a trade-off between the strength and stiffness of carbon fiber, where one increases, the other decreases.
In the third-generation carbon fiber, we have achieved strength and stiffness at the same time by using a sintering technology that controls the fiber structure at the nano-level. As a result, we came to develop epoch-making T1100G (high strength type) and M40X (high elastic modulus type).
High strength fiber * Comparison with T700S in parentheses
| Type | Tensile strength [GPa/ksi] | Tensile modulus [GPa/Msi] | Elongation [%] | Density [g/cm3] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Gen | T700S | 4.9/711 | 230/33.4 | 2.1 | 1.80 |
| 2nd Gen | T800S | 5.9/856 (+20%) | 294/42.6 (+28%) | 2.0 | 1.80 |
| 3nd Gen | T1100G | 7.0/1015(＋43％) | 324/47.0 (+41%) | 2.2 | 1.79 |
High modulus fiber * Comparison with M40S in parentheses
| Type | Tensile strength [GPa/ksi] | Tensile modulus [Gpa/Msi] | Elongation [%] | Density [g/cm3] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Gen | M40S | 4.5/653 | 377/54.7 | 1.2 | 1.80 |
| 3nd Gen | M40X | 5.5/798 (+22%) | 377/54.7 | 1.5 | 1.79 |
As shown in the graphs and tables above, both T1100G and M40X have a superior balance of strength and stiffness (modulus) compared to conventional carbon fiber.
For example, T1100G has a strength of 7.0 GPa and a modulus of 324 GPa, while T800S, an earlier generation, has a strength of 5.9 GPa and a modulus of 294 GPa.
Also, while the modulus of M40X and the previous generation M40S are equivalent at 377 GPa, the strength of M40X is 5.5 GPa and M40S is 4.5 GPa.
Thus, the stiffer and stronger state, which was previously considered difficult to achieve, was achieved with T1100G and M40X.
What is Carbon Fiber?
Carbon fiber is a fibrous material with a diameter of approximately 5-7 microns (about 1/10 the thickness of a strand of hair) made by bonding carbon atoms. Acrylic resin, which is often used as a raw material for clothing, is processed into fiber and impurities are removed by processing at high temperatures to raise the carbon atom content to over 90%.
Carbon Fiber has three main characteristics: lightweight, strong, and stiff. In other words, it has low specific gravity, high strength, and high elastic modulus, which makes it ideal for use in fields such as the aerospace industry, automotive industry, and sporting goods.
For example, in the aerospace industry, it is used to improve fuel efficiency by reducing the weight of aircraft fuselages and to improve cabin comfortability by increasing the humidity inside the cabin by taking advantage of its rust-resistant properties. In the field of sports, it is used in fishing rods, golf shafts/heads, bicycle frames/rims, tennis/badminton rackets, hockey sticks, and other sports equipment, helping players' performance.
What is TORAYCA™ T1100G ?
Lighter and Stronger than Conventional Products
As mentioned above, T1100G is much stronger and stiffer than conventional carbon fiber.
To introduce these characteristics, we conducted a verification test by fabricating a flat plate of the same stiffness using a sheet of T700S, T800S, and T1100G carbon fiber impregnated with epoxy resin. To make plates of the same stiffness, stiffer carbon fiber requires less amount compared to softer carbon fiber. This makes the thickness and weight of the plates smaller in the order of T700S > T800S > T1100G.
| Plate thickness [mm] |
Plate weight [g] |
|
|---|---|---|
| T700S | 2.4 | 11.7 |
| T800S | 2.3 (-6%) | 11.0 (-6%) |
| T1100G | 2.2 (-11%) | 10.5 (-10%) |
* Comparison with T700S in parentheses
Despite the greater thickness and weight of the T700S plate, the T1100G flat plate, which is thinner and lighter, endured the most.
Lightweight and faster deflection return
The speed of return to deflection is measured as the speed of deflected position to the horizontal position. The T1100G is the lightest weight plate with the same stiffness, and therefore, returns to the original position faster.
Since the T1100G is lighter than the T700S and T800S, the video shows the deflection speed of T1100G is the fastest.
What is TORAYCA™ M40X ?
Stronger than conventional products
As stated above, in general, as stiffness of carbon fiber increases, its strength decreases, making the product brittle. M40X, like T1100G, is a carbon fiber developed to achieve both strength and stiffness at the highest level possible.
In order to compare the performance of M40S and M40X, we made flat plates of the same stiffness from each fiber. Since they are the same stiffness, M40X has the same thickness and weight as M40S.
| Plate thickness [mm] |
Plate weight [g] |
|
|---|---|---|
| M40S | 2.0 | 10.0 |
| M40X | 2.0 | 10.0 |
Although M40X plate has the same thickness, M40X could endure much more than M40S flat plate.
This is an epoch making result that it overturns the conventional theory of carbon fiber, and our customers are now developing products that take advantage of this M40X characteristics.
Summary
T1100G and M40X are materials that combine high levels of strength and stiffness, which have been considered difficult to achieve with conventional carbon fibers. By using these materials, the performance of golf shafts, fishing rods, bicycles, and other sports equipment can be highly improved.
| Usage | Expected Performance |
|---|---|
| Golf Shafts | Lighter weight = extra weight can be used to optimize balance for improved stability and further distance. |
| Fishing Rods | Lighter weight and higher rigidity = higher sensitivity, longer casting distance, and easier fishing. |
| Bicycles | Lighter weight and higher rigidity = less power loss when pedaling. |
Based on Toray’s corporate philosophy of "contributing to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies and products," we are committed to contributing the society through developing materials that meet our customers' requirements.
Click here for M46X, a further evolution of M40X.
