Domestic T300/T700 Carbon Fiber Composites in China’s Sports Equipment Industry

Introduction

Carbon fiber composites have revolutionized the sports equipment industry by enabling ultra-lightweight, strong, and customizable products. In China, the adoption of T300 and T700-grade carbon fibers—once dominated by foreign suppliers—has accelerated in recent years due to the rise of domestic fiber manufacturers and vertically integrated sports brands.

This article focuses on the practical usage of domestically produced T300/T700 carbon fibers in the sports sector, analyzing how these materials are transforming Chinese-made bicycles, rackets, helmets, and more into globally competitive products.

1. What Are T300 and T700 Carbon Fibers?

T300: Entry-Level Industrial Carbon Fiber

• Tensile Strength: ~3530 MPa

• Tensile Modulus: ~230 GPa

• Applications: Rackets, frames, helmets (recreational to semi-pro)

Features:

• Stable performance

• Excellent cost-to-performance ratio

• Easy to process and lay up

T700: Mid-to-High-End Carbon Fiber

• Tensile Strength: ~4900 MPa

• Tensile Modulus: ~240 GPa

• Applications: Racing bicycles, performance rackets, aerospace parts

Features:

• 30%+ higher strength than T300

• More suitable for structural applications requiring lightness + rigidity

• Better fatigue resistance

Both fibers are now produced in China by companies like Jilin Carbon, Zhongfu Shenying, Jiangsu Hengshen, and Haixing Carbon.

2. Domestic Production Capability: China’s Carbon Fiber Ecosystem

China has built a vertically integrated supply chain to support carbon fiber composite part manufacturing for sports, automotive, and aerospace.

Major Producers of T300/T700 Fibers:

These manufacturers now supply carbon fibers to both OEM factories and branded sports equipment companies, enabling large-scale adoption.

3. Application in Sports Equipment

a. Bicycles: From Commuter to Competitive

China’s domestic carbon fiber bicycle industry has taken a leap forward with the use of locally made T700 fibers.

Key Applications:

• T700 frames: Ultra-light and stiff frames for performance cycling

• T300 rims and handlebars: Reinforced parts with shock resistance

Examples:

• SAVA and UCC: Chinese brands now offering full T700 carbon frames

• OEM suppliers in Kunshan, Xiamen, and Tianjin building bikes for global brands using domestic prepreg

A typical T700 frame weighs less than 1 kg, yet provides excellent power transfer and road feel for riders.

b. Rackets: Lightweight, Powerful, and Durable

Domestic T300 carbon fibers are widely used in badminton and tennis rackets, balancing cost and performance.

Design Considerations:

• Shafts: T300 for shock absorption and moderate stiffness

• Heads: T700 or hybrid fibers for power and precision

Brands:

• Li-Ning: Uses domestically sourced T300/T700 in pro-level rackets

• Decathlon (China sourcing): Employs local OEMs using domestic carbon fiber

• Numerous Guangdong-based racket factories now use carbon prepreg from local suppliers

By switching to T700, some racket makers reported a 15–20% weight reduction with 25% increase in swing strength.

c. Helmets and Protective Gear

Carbon-reinforced cycling, skiing, and motorsports helmets use domestic T300 for:

• Shell strength

• Thermal resistance

• Impact absorption structure

T700 is increasingly used in premium helmet lines, especially where shell thinness + rigidity is critical.

Chinese brands such as:

• KPLUS (cycling)

• MT Helmets China

• ROCKBROS

…are using domestic T300 and T700 to compete with imported carbon helmets at 30–50% lower price.

d. Other Gear: Poles, Boards, and More

• Ski poles: Pultruded T300 shafts for flexibility + resilience

• Snowboards / skateboards: Carbon inserts using woven T300 for torsional strength

• Fishing rods: Cross-wrapped carbon fiber with domestic epoxy systems

These products are produced in Fujian, Hebei, and Zhejiang, where carbon sheet cutting + compression molding are standard practices.

4. Advantages of Using Domestic Carbon Fiber in Sports

a. Cost-Effectiveness

• T300/T700 from Chinese makers is 20–40% cheaper than imported equivalents.

• Enables mass-market products to feature carbon upgrades.

b. Supply Chain Stability

• No need to rely on imports from Japan, USA, or Korea.

• Faster delivery and custom spec formulation possible.

c. Technical Compatibility

• Local resin systems (epoxy, vinyl ester) are now compatible with domestic carbon fibers.

• OEM factories can process materials with higher yield and fewer defects.

5. Process & Manufacturing Techniques

Most Chinese factories use a combination of:

• Prepreg molding: Hot press or autoclave for frames and helmets

• Filament winding: Used in shafts and tubes

• RTM (Resin Transfer Molding): For helmet shells and large components

• Compression Molding: For boards and plates

Advanced factories have also started CNC prepreg cutting + automated layup, enabling higher consistency and design flexibility.

6. Case Studies

① SAVA Carbon Bikes (Shenzhen)

• Uses T700 from Jilin Carbon

• Frames made via hot-molded prepreg process

• Launched under ¥5,000 carbon road bikes with international specs

② Li-Ning Badminton Rackets

• Shaft: T300 for flex

• Head: T700 for control

• One-piece monocoque frame improves performance and durability

③ ROCKBROS Helmets

• Carbon-reinforced shells with EPS foam

• T700 used for full-shell variants

• Passed EU CE certifications

7. Challenges and Future Directions

Challenges

• Consistency: Some domestic T300/T700 still show batch variability

• Branding perception: “Domestic” sometimes seen as inferior in premium segment

• Global certification: Some fibers still not qualified for all global standards

Opportunities

• Custom sports composites: Tailored fiber/resin systems for individual athletes

• Hybrid structures: Mixing T300/T700 with glass or aramid for tuned performance

• Smart composites: Embedded sensors in carbon layups

Conclusion

The use of domestically produced T300 and T700 carbon fibers has reached a point where Chinese sports brands and manufacturers can deliver high-performance, competitively priced products on par with global counterparts.

From mass-market bicycles to high-end rackets and helmets, China’s carbon fiber sports industry is transitioning from follower to innovator. With improving quality, scale, and material diversity, the potential for future growth is immense—especially as local brands target both domestic and international markets with confidence.