Woven UD fabric enhances scalable carbon fiber options for infrastructure

Zoltek Companies Inc. (St. Louis, Mo., U.S.) is exhibiting scalable carbon fiber solutions featuring a novel woven unidirectional (UD) fabric for infrastructure applications.

Zoltek PX35 continuous carbon fiber, derived from a high-quality polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor, is known for its consistent performance, high strength-to-weight ratio and affordability. With a 50K filament count, PX35 enables rapid processing and efficient buildup of composite structures, making it ideal for high-throughput and large-scale applications. According to Zoltek, PX35’s consistency in yield and mechanical properties empowers engineers to design with confidence, improving quality while reducing part-to-part variation.

In addition to raw fiber, Zoltek offers a wide range of value-added products, the latest of which is the Zoltek PX35 woven UD fabric. The novel fabric solution was developed specifically for civil engineering applications, including structural reinforcement, infrastructure repair and seismic retrofitting. The UD weave maximizes fiber alignment and strength in critical load-bearing directions, providing an optimal balance of performance, ease of handling and cost-efficiency. It is especially well suited for strengthening concrete, masonry and steel structures, delivering long-term durability in harsh environmental conditions.

PX35 UD fabric builds upon Zoltek’s core advantage: making carbon fiber scalable and accessible for broader use. Designed for ease of impregnation and compatibility with common resin systems — epoxy, vinyl ester and more — the fabric is reported to integrate seamlessly into existing construction and repair workflows. Its high strength, corrosion resistance and low weight make it an alternative to traditional materials in both retrofit and new build scenarios.

Zoltek PX35 fiber products, including the new UD fabric, are also used extensively in wind energy, automotive, marine and industrial markets. Whether as continuous tow, chopped or milled fiber or finished fabric, PX35 supports where strength, stiffness and fatigue resistance are essential.