Teijin’s carbon fiber technology used in solar car

Toho Tenax Co. (Tokyo, Japan), the core company of the Teijin Group's carbon fibers and composites business, is working with Kogakuin University (Toyko, Japan) on developing a new solar-powered car made with carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The car will participate in Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, the world’s biggest solar car race, which will take place in Australia from October 18 to 25.

Teijin supplied the university with ultra-lightweight fabric made with TENAX carbon fiber, which was used to design and fabricate the racing vehicle’s two-seater body. GH Craft, also a member of the Teijin Group, has been involved from the concept stage in developing the all-carbon composite body. TENAX ultra-lightweight fabric enabled the bodyweight to be reduced by 55kg, but still ensures practicality and safety, as well as the tensile modulus and tenacity needed to withstand endurance racing.

Toho Tenax, together with Sakai Ovex Co. (Fukui City, Japan), developed an ultra-lightweight carbon fiber fabric as thin as 0.06 mm in 2010. The CFRP produced with this material was used to fabricate the car body.