M60J 6K
Grade · default condition
6K = 6000-filament sized tow
The as-delivered continuous tow for filament winding, tape/prepreg making and braiding.
Values for the 6K condition
Other M60J grades and fills
M60J is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at M60J.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quasi-isotropic epoxy laminate [0/±45/90]s | Layup-level values for plates and brackets needing direction-independent stiffness and near-zero in-plane CTE. | — | 600 | 0.5 | — |
Woven fabric (plain/satin) epoxy laminate | Balanced biaxial stiffness for skins and panels where drapability beats maximum unidirectional modulus. | — | 800 | — | — |
Wet filament-wound / towpreg epoxy structure | Pick for wound tubes, struts and rims where hoop/axial stiffness matters and prepreg tooling is not justified. | — | 1,650 | 0.5 | — |
Unidirectional bismaleimide prepreg laminate | Use where service temperature exceeds epoxy capability (hot structures, engine-adjacent stiff members). | — | 1,700 | 0.5 | — |
Unidirectional cyanate-ester prepreg laminate | Choose for satellite optical benches and antennas: low outgassing, low moisture expansion, near-zero CTE. | — | 1,750 | 0.5 | — |
Unidirectional epoxy prepreg laminate, Vf ≈ 60 % | Standard 180 °C-cure epoxy UD laminate — the baseline form for stiff aerospace tubes and panels. | — | 1,850 | 0.55 | — |
6KDefaultThis page 6000-filament sized tow | The as-delivered continuous tow for filament winding, tape/prepreg making and braiding. | — | 3,820 | 0.7 | — |
What is M60J 6K?
M60J 6K is M60J in the 6K grade — the as-delivered continuous tow for filament winding, tape/prepreg making and braiding. M60J 6K has a tensile strength of 3,820 MPa (554 ksi), stronger than 89% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.7% and the elastic modulus is 588 GPa (85.3 Msi). M60J 6K has a density of 1.94 g/cm³ (0.0701 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of composite grades.
Advantages
- Stiff — 588 GPa (85.3 Msi), better than 99% of composite grades
- Conducts heat well — 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of composite grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 85% of composite grades
- High service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), better than 78% of composite grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 50 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of composite grades
- Limited ductility — 0.7%, worse than 86% of composite grades
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 84% of composite grades
M60J 6K properties
Typical room-temperature values for M60J 6K; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are M60J reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
M60J 6K has a density of 1.94 g/cm³ (0.0701 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of composite grades.
Mechanical5
M60J 6K has a tensile strength of 3,820 MPa (554 ksi), stronger than 89% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.7% and the elastic modulus is 588 GPa (85.3 Msi).
Thermal6
M60J 6K is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is -1.1 µm/m·K (-0.611 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
M60J 6K has an electrical resistivity of 7.6×10⁻⁶ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 85% of composite grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of M60J 6K takes about 700 MJ of energy and emits 50 kg of CO₂ — more than 90% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
M60J 6K's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 84% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with M60J 6K
Is M60J easy to machine?
Cut and drill cured laminates with PCD or diamond-coated tools at high speed/low feed with vacuum extraction; conductive dust is hazardous to skin, lungs and electronics.
Can M60J be welded?
Not weldable — join by adhesive bonding (film adhesive on abraded/peel-ply surfaces) or bonded titanium end fittings; avoid direct aluminum/steel contact to prevent galvanic corrosion.
Can M60J be formed, bent or molded?
Very low strain to failure and high stiffness limit minimum bend radii; lay up prepreg over precise tooling and autoclave cure, or filament wind — avoid fiber kinking and tight-radius drape.
What surface finishes work on M60J?
Seal with UV-blocking or space-qualified topcoat/paint; use conductive coatings, vacuum-metallized or foil layers for charge dissipation and thermal-optical control.
M60J chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Nresidual nitrogen from PAN precursor | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| sizing (epoxy-compatible)surface size, wt % of fiber; unsized versions available | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Cgraphitized PAN-based carbon; carbon assay per producer | ≥ 99 (balance) | — |
M60J 6K — frequently asked
What is M60J 6K used for?
M60J 6K is typically used for space structures, high-stiffness aerospace brackets and precision optics mounts. In short: highest commercial modulus fiber; extreme stiffness, very brittle; low machinability, high cost.
What is the tensile strength of M60J 6K?
M60J 6K has a typical tensile strength of 3,820 MPa (554 ksi) — stronger than 89% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is M60J 6K easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 84% of composite grades). Cut and drill cured laminates with PCD or diamond-coated tools at high speed/low feed with vacuum extraction; conductive dust is hazardous to skin, lungs and electronics.
Can M60J 6K be welded?
Not weldable — join by adhesive bonding (film adhesive on abraded/peel-ply surfaces) or bonded titanium end fittings; avoid direct aluminum/steel contact to prevent galvanic corrosion.
What surface finishes work on M60J 6K?
Seal with UV-blocking or space-qualified topcoat/paint; use conductive coatings, vacuum-metallized or foil layers for charge dissipation and thermal-optical control.
Can M60J 6K be formed, bent or molded?
Very low strain to failure and high stiffness limit minimum bend radii; lay up prepreg over precise tooling and autoclave cure, or filament wind — avoid fiber kinking and tight-radius drape.
What is the maximum service temperature of M60J 6K?
M60J 6K is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F), and briefly to 500°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- TORAYCA M60J Technical Data Sheet — Toray Industries / Toray Composite Materials America (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.21: Composites — ASM International (2001)
- CMH-17 (Composite Materials Handbook) Vol.2 — Polymer Matrix Composites — SAE International (2012)
- High-modulus PAN carbon fiber property compilations — Granta/CES material data (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.