Sinopec mass-produces T1000 12K small‑tow carbon fiber
- Shanghai Petrochemical and its research institute achieved the first mass production of wet-process T1000-grade small‑tow carbon fiber.
- The product is 12K small tow with single-tow tensile strength >6.5 GPa and tensile modulus >300 GPa.
- Sinopec’s portfolio now covers nearly 20 carbon-fiber models (3K–60K) for applications from aerospace to wind power and sports.
- As of end‑2025 Sinopec had 868 patent applications in carbon fiber/composites, 417 authorised patents and 4 PCT international filings.
Breakthrough and production
On June 2 reporters learned that Shanghai Petrochemical and the Shanghai Petrochemical Research Institute overcame key wet-process T1000-grade high-performance carbon fiber technology and achieved the first mass production of T1000-grade small‑tow carbon fiber, intended for high-end fields including aerospace, embodied intelligence and the low‑altitude economy.
Material specifications
The T1000-grade product is a 12K small‑tow carbon fiber. A single filament has a diameter about one‑tenth that of a human hair; a single tow exhibits tensile strength exceeding 6.5 GPa and tensile modulus above 300 GPa—approximately able to withstand a pull equivalent to a medium-sized truck (~10 tonnes). The article notes carbon fiber density is under one‑quarter that of steel while tensile strength is 7–9 times that of steel and it is corrosion-resistant.
Product range and intellectual property
Sinopec already produces nearly 20 carbon-fiber models across tow specifications such as 3K, 6K, 12K, 24K, 48K and 60K, covering general and high-performance grades for aerospace, high-end manufacturing, wind power, transportation and sports. As of the end of 2025 the company had applied for 868 patents in carbon fiber and composite materials, obtained 417 patent authorisations and completed 4 PCT international patent applications.
Source: Sinopec