P100
P100 is a pitch-based carbon fiber of the Amoco/Cytec lineage, available as dry fiber, UD epoxy and cyanate-ester prepreg, aluminum matrix composite (MMC-AL) and carbon-carbon forms.
Reference datasheet — P100 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
P100 grades and fills
P100 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P100/ | Select the aluminium metal-matrix form for electronic packaging and heat-spreader baseplates needing 400 W/m·K, tunable near-zero CTE and a solderable, conductive, radiation-tolerant metal interface. | 350 | 600 | 0.4 | |
P100/ | Choose the cyanate ester matrix for space optics and structures where moisture-induced dimensional change must be minimal and service reaches 180 °C, accepting 1050 MPa at 0°. | 1,050 | |||
P100/ | Pick the 60 % Vf epoxy laminate for space optical benches, trusses and antenna reflectors needing 450 GPa at 0° and near-zero CTE; the epoxy caps service at 120 °C with a Tg of 130 °C. | 1,100 | 0.28 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways P100 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FIBERDefault | Tow / yarn | Supply form |
CC | P100 / | Surface finish |
What is P100?
P100 is a pitch-based carbon fiber of the Amoco/Cytec lineage, available as dry fiber, UD epoxy and cyanate-ester prepreg, aluminum matrix composite (MMC-AL) and carbon-carbon forms. Its 758 GPa modulus and 520 W/m·K thermal conductivity at 2.15 g/cm3 make it the choice where dimensional and thermal stability outweigh strength. Tensile strength is only 2410 MPa at 0.32 % elongation, so the fiber is brittle, radius- and handling-sensitive, costly and very hard to machine (machinability score 12); fiber stability reaches 400 °C. Where strength matters more than stiffness, a high-modulus PAN fiber such as UMS40 is the alternative. P100 has a density of 2.15 g/cm³ (0.0777 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of composite grades. P100 has a tensile strength of 2,410 MPa (350 ksi), stronger than 78% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.32% and the elastic modulus is 758 GPa (109.9 Msi).
What is P100 used for?
- satellite thermal straps
- space antenna structures
- high-stiffness optical benches
Advantages
- Stiff — 758 GPa (109.9 Msi), better than 100% of composite grades
- Conducts heat well — 520 W/m·K (300.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of composite grades
- High service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), better than 78% of composite grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 95/100, better than 78% of composite grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.32%, worse than 93% of composite grades
- High embodied carbon — 45 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 90% of composite grades
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades
- Heavy — 2.15 g/cm³ (0.0777 lb/in³), worse than 79% of composite grades
P100 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
P100 has a density of 2.15 g/cm³ (0.0777 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of composite grades.
Mechanical3
P100 has a tensile strength of 2,410 MPa (350 ksi), stronger than 78% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 0.32% and the elastic modulus is 758 GPa (109.9 Msi).
Thermal6
P100 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 520 W/m·K (300.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is -1.5 µm/m·K (-0.806 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
P100 has an electrical resistivity of 2.5×10⁻⁶ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 77% of composite grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of P100 takes about 750 MJ of energy and emits 45 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
P100's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. P100 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P100
Is P100 easy to machine?
Cut only with diamond-coated or PCD tooling, diamond grit, or abrasive waterjet; keep feed light. The fiber is extremely brittle and edges delaminate and fuzz easily, so back up cut lines and extract the conductive dust to protect nearby equipment.
Can P100 be welded?
Not weldable; join by structural epoxy or film adhesive bonding, or by co-curing titanium or Invar end fittings. Insulate any aluminum interface to prevent galvanic corrosion.
Can P100 be formed, bent or molded?
Mainly hand or automated layup of prepreg cured in an autoclave or press; winding is possible. Strain to failure is only 0.32 %, so minimum bend radii are large and layups must be symmetric and balanced to control thermal distortion.
P100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| sizing (epoxy-compatible)sizing; may be supplied unsized depending on delivery state | 0 – 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Cmesophase pitch graphitized at 3000 C, high crystallite alignment | ≥ 99 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on P100?
Surfaces are normally coated with epoxy or polyurethane topcoat, or a low-outgassing coating for UV and moisture protection. Optical parts can use a resin-replicated face or electroless nickel as a reflective substrate.
How much does P100 cost?
P100 is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
P100 — frequently asked
What is P100 used for?
P100 is typically used for satellite thermal straps, space antenna structures and high-stiffness optical benches. In short: highest thermal conductivity fiber; 758 GPa ultra-high modulus; stiffness over strength.
What is the tensile strength of P100?
P100 has a typical tensile strength of 2,410 MPa (350 ksi) — stronger than 78% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is P100 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 89% of composite grades). Cut only with diamond-coated or PCD tooling, diamond grit, or abrasive waterjet; keep feed light. The fiber is extremely brittle and edges delaminate and fuzz easily, so back up cut lines and extract the conductive dust to protect nearby equipment.
Can P100 be welded?
Not weldable; join by structural epoxy or film adhesive bonding, or by co-curing titanium or Invar end fittings. Insulate any aluminum interface to prevent galvanic corrosion.
What surface finishes work on P100?
Surfaces are normally coated with epoxy or polyurethane topcoat, or a low-outgassing coating for UV and moisture protection. Optical parts can use a resin-replicated face or electroless nickel as a reflective substrate.
Can P100 be formed, bent or molded?
Mainly hand or automated layup of prepreg cured in an autoclave or press; winding is possible. Strain to failure is only 0.32 %, so minimum bend radii are large and layups must be symmetric and balanced to control thermal distortion.
What is the maximum service temperature of P100?
P100 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F), and briefly to 2,000°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does P100 cost?
P100 is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Thornel P-100 Pitch-Based Carbon Fiber Data Sheet — Amoco / Cytec Engineered Materials (1996)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.1: Composites — ASM International (1987)
- MIL-HDBK-17 / CMH-17 Composite Materials Handbook — SAE International (2012)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.