What are the differences between long-cut carbon fiber and short-cut carbon fiber?

Long-cut carbon fibers (long fibers) and short-cut carbon fibers (short fibers) have significant differences in performance, application and production process. The specific distinctions are as follows:

Fiber length and distribution

Chopped carbon fiber: usually less than 1 millimeter in length, it is uniformly dispersed in the base material. When printed by fused deposition modeling (FDM/FFF) technology, the fibers are mixed with the base material to enhance the overall strength and rigidity ‌

Long-cut carbon fiber ‌ : length range from 1 to 25 millimeters, even consistent with the size of the product. During printing, it is directionally reinforced in the form of continuous fibers, and the load distribution is more uniform ‌

2. Enhance effect

Short fibers ‌ : Enhance tensile and bending strength, but the reinforcing effect is relatively weak. They are suitable for scenarios where strength requirements are not strict ‌

Long fibers ‌ : Mechanical strength is enhanced several to dozens of times, tensile strength can reach 40-80 mpa, and impact resistance is significantly better than that of short fibers, even surpassing that of aluminum alloy ‌

3. Compatibility of printing technology

Short fiber ‌ : compatible with most FDM/FFF printers, simple process ‌

Long fibers ‌ : Special equipment (such as dual extrusion nozzle technology) is required, and only specific printers can achieve continuous fiber laying ‌

4. Application fields

Short fibers ‌ : low cost, widely used in thermoplastic printing, sports equipment (such as the "3+2" structure of table tennis rackets), etc. ‌

Long fibers ‌ : used in high-end fields such as aerospace, automotive lightweighting, and high-strength structural components (such as brake discs with a lifespan of 250,000 to 300,000 kilometers) ‌

5. Other performance differences

Lifespan ‌ : The lifespan of long-fiber products (such as brake discs) can be 2 to 3 times that of short-fiber products ‌

Thermal conductivity ‌ : Long fibers have better heat dissipation performance and are less prone to cracking ‌

In summary, long fibers have prominent advantages in terms of strength and durability, but they are costly and have complex manufacturing processes. Chopped carbon fibers are known for their cost-effectiveness and ease of use, and are suitable for regular needs ‌

Yancheng Xiangsheng Carbon Fiber Technology Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise approved by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Administration for Industry and Commerce (Certificate No. GR202232016363), with the registered trademark "Xiangli". Xiangsheng, as a company integrating scientific research, development, production and sales, is committed to researching the functionality and design diversity of special fiber composite materials such as carbon fiber and aramid fiber. Currently, Yancheng Xiangsheng Carbon Fiber Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in the production of: Products such as carbon fiber filament, chopped carbon fiber, carbon fiber powder, high-strength and high-modulus polyethylene staple fiber, aramid staple fiber, engineering fiber series and fiber cutting machines.