Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) vs FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) vs FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP)
Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy — the benchmark structural composite material. Unidirectional ply: tensile strength 1500–2000 MPa, modulus 120–150 GPa at density 1.55 g/cm³ (5x stronger than steel at 1/5 the weight). Quasi-isotropic layup: UTS ~600 MPa, E ~50 GPa. Autoclave-cured prepreg (aerospace) or infusion/RTM (industrial). Used in aerospace primary structures (fuselage, wings), Formula 1 chassis, bicycle frames, wind turbine blades, pressure vessels (Type IV) and high-end sporting goods. Fiber types: T300, T700, T800, M40J, M55J.
FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)
Flame retardant woven fiberglass cloth with epoxy resin binder — the worldwide standard substrate material for printed circuit boards (PCBs). Designated NEMA grade FR-4 and IPC-4101. Good mechanical strength, dimensional stability and electrical insulation up to 130°C (Tg). Dielectric constant 4.2–4.7 at 1 MHz. Self-extinguishing (UL94 V-0). Used for single/multilayer PCBs, electrical insulation boards, structural composites in electronics, test fixtures and jigs. Available in thicknesses 0.1–50 mm.
| Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) | FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ASTM D3039 | IPC-4101 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) | FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 1500–2000 | 280–340 | MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | 120–150 | — | GPa |
| Density | 1.5–1.6 | 1.8–1.9 | g/cm³ |
Compatibility Assessment
Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) and FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) the same as FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)?
Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) and FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) with FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) and FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. Epoxy/Carbon Fiber (CFRP) is a Polymers grade, while FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) is a Polymers grade.
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.