Recently, Shanghai Shenkai Petroleum Instrument Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Shenkai Instruments") successfully delivered and completed acceptance of its self-developed "Fully Automated Carbon Fiber Testing Equipment" to Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company.
The equipment, designed for automated sample preparation in tensile performance testing of large-tow carbon fibers, is a critical component of Sinopec's first domestic carbon fiber production line.
Public records indicate that automated carbon fiber sample preparation technology had long been monopolized by foreign companies. Domestic reliance on manual methods resulted in low efficiency, inconsistent data, and significant health risks for operators, severely hindering China's carbon fiber industry growth.
Over two and a half years of research and iterative trials, Shenkai Instruments' team completed the prototype design and production in early 2021. After rigorous client testing and validation, the equipment gained strong approval, leading to commercial bulk orders.
Notably, the project has applied for three patents, with its technology reaching domestic advanced levels and performance metrics rivaling international counterparts.
From a national carbon fiber supply chain perspective, this delivery fills a critical gap in automated sample preparation, accelerating China's large-scale carbon fiber production capabilities.
Earlier, China's first 10,000-ton 48K large-tow carbon fiber production line yielded qualified products, marking a milestone in scaling from R&D breakthroughs and pilot production to full industrialization. Shenkai's equipment played a key role in achieving full localization of Phase I equipment for this domestic production line.
Under current plans, Sinopec's Shanghai carbon fiber industrial base is set for full completion and operation by 2024, with annual capacity reaching 24,000 tons of precursor fiber and 12,000 tons of large-tow carbon fiber, meeting demand across national industries.
