A step-change in the cost of CFRP

Williams Advanced Engineering reveals secrets behind its innovations aim to move carbon fiber into the mobility mainstream.

A joke in the auto industry about CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) is that the “C” stands for “costly.” So, any manufacturing process that solves this significant drawback of the ultra-lightweight material's use outside of Formula One racing and exotic supercars, could change the vehicle-production game.

Engineers at Williams Advanced Engineering in the U.K. are confident they have developed two complementary solutions to the cost hurdle. Revealing details of both, the company stated these solutions could be applied to high-volume production by 2021.