Problem is Cabot mixes some truth with mostly hype.
From your paragraph:
Aircraft brakes - have been carbon for years. not really that big of an application (< 1 million pounds) also not going to grow significantly.
Shipping containers - fiberglass will reign in this application as you need thickness for damage tolerance. Yes, some carbon fiber MAY be used for stiffness, but again not very much. Also, we are years away from seeing significant quantities of composite containers. Aluminum is too cheap.
Automobile drive shafts - carbon has been studied and used in some applications since the mid 70's. Akzo and Hexcel are supplying GM's light trucks, not practicle for cars due to geometry. Limited growth.
Truck Frame rails - yes a potential application for weight limited Class 8 manufacturers (small market), but this will require a high quality, high STRENGTH product - most likely will be 12K.
Car bodies - yea, right. Detroit hasn't even discovered aluminum bodies yet. In limited super high performance sports cars, maybe, but IMO widescale adoption is a long ways off.
So, reading from that paragraph it's real clear how ZOLT is going to double the carbon fiber market in 2 years. Right.
Use your own common sense, we aren't dealing with a potential cure for cancer which is worth billions overnight. Industries listed above take years to embrace new technology. Maybe someday, but be prepared to hold on for many years.
Good luck.
flyguy. |
