Advance Fiber Technologies Corp
Electrical wires and optical fibers
Company Overview
Advanced Fiber Technologies, Inc. (AFT), established in 1996 and located in Townsend, DE, is a specialized firm with deep expertise in advanced fiber materials. Leveraging over 40 years of experience in carbon fiber development and applications, AFT has positioned itself as a recognized leader in obscurant development and related technologies. The company's work often involves supporting government contract activities, demonstrating its capability and reliability in critical material science domains.
Core Competencies and Services
AFT offers a range of specialized services centered on advanced fiber technologies. A primary area of expertise is specialized fiber packaging, including the development of unique forms for dispersible short chopped fibers. The company holds a U.S. Patent (#6802172) for novel packaging techniques specifically for IR obscurants, developed in conjunction with the U.S. Army. Beyond packaging, AFT provides fiber and composite modifications for special applications, such as developing low-cost carbon fiber materials from various precursors. They also offer comprehensive engineering design and analysis services, which include evaluating material performance characteristics, conducting non-routine test development, and performing detailed analyses of physical, mechanical, and electrical properties for a variety of materials and structural components.
Research and Development Focus
The company has a strong foundation in research and development, evidenced by its participation in significant projects. AFT has conducted research on nanotube materials, including novel methods for separating and disentangling carbon nanotube bundles, as a subcontractor on a DARPA-funded contract. Previous efforts as a subcontractor on a DOE contract contributed to the development of low-cost carbon fiber materials through the modification of textile-type acrylic fiber precursors. This dedication to innovation is further highlighted by the extensive patent and publication history of its technical team, covering areas from carbon fiber manufacturing processes to surface treatments and precursor development.
Technical Capabilities and Testing
Advanced Fiber Technologies maintains robust in-house capabilities to support its specialized services. These include batch oxidation and small-scale carbonization facilities, along with in-house fiber surface treatment capabilities. The company excels in customized equipment and process design, and non-routine materials packaging. For material evaluation, AFT provides a suite of testing services, such as single filament tensile strength, loop tests, break face analysis, longitudinal resistance/resistivity, and small-scale fiber attenuation and dispersion. This comprehensive array of technical resources allows AFT to address complex challenges in advanced materials and provide tailored solutions to its clients.
