Listed below are all documents and RMI.org site pages related to this topic.
15 Items
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-Steel_use_for_automaking
The shift from steel to carbon fiber in the transportation sector reduces steel production. With the rapid adoption of lightweight vehicles, RMI estimates that, in 2050, the auto industry will require one-fifth the steel used in 2010.
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-Energy_use_for_steel_sector
Projected reduction in U.S. steel demand will reduce the energy required by the industrial sector by 111 trillion BTU/y in 2050.
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-Projected_energy_to_manufacture_CFRP
Energy to manufacture the required carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) used in the transportation sector is 45–120 TBTU/y by 2050. Future reductions in energy intensity and the use of recycled materials could further reduce this.
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-delivered_energy_intensity_car_manufacturing
Carbon fiber production is more energy intensive than steel production (by mass). However, because revolutionary autos will require less body mass, there are significant opportunities for energy reduction in the auto manufacturing industry.
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-industrial_grade_carbon_fiber_supply_demand
Carbon fiber material supply is currently increasing by 9–10 million pounds per year. Demand began a 10-fold increase with Boeing’s and Airbus’s new carbon-intensive airplane orders in 2005.
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-Changes_industrial_energy_use_from_transportation
Transformations in the transportation sector will have the net effect of saving half of refining energy, cutting 2050 industrial energy use by 3.5 quads/y.
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-Carbon_fiber_market_share_by_company
The carbon fiber manufacturing market is very concentrated; six companies produce nearly 93% of the world’s supply of carbon fiber.
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-examples_carbon_composite_structures
The carbon fiber manufacturing market is very concentrated; six companies produce nearly 93% of the world’s supply of carbon fiber.
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-carbonfiber_vs_steel_manufacturing
Automotive manufacturing costs can be cut by 80% with carbon fiber-based autos vs. steel-based ones due to greatly reduced tooling and simpler assembly and joining. However, such cost savings are currently overshadowed with carbon fiber material prices upwards of $16/lb.
http://www.rmi.org/RFGraph-CF_precursor_basics
Raw carbon fiber is made from either polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or a petroleum pitch precursor. Rayon was used prior to the development of PAN. These fossil-fuel-based materials come from petroleum refining or natural gas processing.