TERNAfil Wins Recognition for MAXCarbon Carbon-Ceramic Hybrid Fiber Technology

Updated on July 09, 2026 • 4 min read

TERNAfil, a spin-off from the RWTH Aachen Institute of Textile Technology, has received third place at the Hightech.NRW Demo Day 2026 for its MAXCarbon carbon-ceramic hybrid fiber technology.

The Aachen-based company was recognized during the event held on June 3, 2026, at the TÜV NORD campus in Essen, Germany. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister Mona Neubaur congratulated the team, which received €4,000 in prize money.

MAXCarbon Combines Carbon Fiber With Ceramic Protection

MAXCarbon is designed to combine the lightweight strength of carbon fiber with the high-temperature and corrosion resistance associated with ceramic materials.

According to TERNAfil, the fiber is produced by converting standard carbon fibers through a surface reaction at 1,250°C. This process forms a MAX-phase hybrid layer around the carbon fiber core, specifically a Ti₃SiC₂ ceramic coating.

MAX phases are layered ceramic materials known for combining ceramic-like stiffness and heat resistance with selected metallic characteristics, including toughness and electrical conductivity. TERNAfil says the resulting hybrid fiber retains the low weight and flexibility of carbon fiber while gaining improved chemical resistance, thermal stability and electrical conductivity.

Research Moves Toward Market Readiness

The technology originates from several years of research by the founding team at RWTH Aachen University. It is now being advanced through the EXIST Research Transfer Program, with the goal of moving the material toward market readiness for demanding industrial applications.

Target sectors include aerospace, energy and security technology. TERNAfil also lists high-temperature industrial applications such as heat exchangers, turbine components and thermal protection systems among its intended use cases.

Why Hybrid Fiber Technology Matters

For composite engineers, the value of MAXCarbon lies in the attempt to bridge a long-standing material gap.

Carbon fiber offers high specific strength and stiffness, but conventional carbon fibers can face limitations in highly oxidative or corrosive high-temperature environments. Ceramic materials, by contrast, can provide thermal and chemical resistance, but often lack the flexibility and textile processability that make carbon fiber attractive for composite reinforcement.

A carbon-ceramic hybrid fiber could therefore support applications where engineers need both lightweight reinforcement and improved environmental durability. Its commercial relevance will depend on scale-up, repeatable coating quality, fiber handling behavior, composite processing compatibility and verified long-term performance under service conditions.

Potential Role in Advanced Composites

If MAXCarbon can be produced consistently at industrial scale, it may become relevant for composite structures exposed to heat, corrosion or electrically demanding environments.

For aerospace and energy applications, that could include thermal protection systems, hot-zone components, hydrogen-related systems or electrically functional composite structures. However, broader adoption will require qualification data, application-specific testing and clear cost-performance advantages compared with existing carbon fiber, ceramic fiber and coated-fiber solutions.

For now, TERNAfil’s award highlights a promising route for bringing university-developed hybrid fiber research closer to industrial composite applications.

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