The Material Edge

More than 100 million pairs of high-end athletic shoes around the world share a performance enhancer: Toray CFRT® (continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic) composite materials. Strategically utilized to enhance footwear performance for more than 25 years, Toray CFRT® composites deliver reduced weight while increasing biomechanical stability. The result? An athletic shoe that complements an athlete's strength and enhances performance.

Tunable to specific flexibility needs, Toray CFRT® composite materials are ideal for footwear engineering, allowing designers to tailor the range of foot motion through fiber replacement, resin selection, and component design. Similar to a continuous bridge, Toray CFRT® materials provide engineered strength throughout your design.

Spring or Propulsion Plate

Utilizing CFRT® materials, the spring or propulsion plate extends into the first and second metatarsal for added spring and resiliency. Flexibility in design allows for stiffness versus compliance balance and added medial/lateral control while absorbing step impacts.

Spring or Propulsion Plate

Heel Stability Plate Lateral/Medial

Turf Plate

Shank Plate

Sock Liner or Insole

Spring or Propulsion Plate

Heel Stability Plate Lateral/Medial

Recommended for running shoes, CFRT® materials help stabilize the heel during heel strike, and minimize pronation and supination.

Turf Plate

Common in turf footwear, Toray’s CFRT® composite materials replace spring steel and limit the extension of the big toe. Specifically developed for this application, CFRT® reduces heat transfer from the turf to the wearer’s foot.

Shank Plate

Located in the arch area for support, the CFRT® crafted shank creates a bridge between the heal and forefoot. Whether buried under the arch or as an exposed torsional enhancement, the CFRT® shank plate reduces the weight of the shoe while providing increased biomechanical support.

Sock Liner or Insole

Whether aftermarket or as a design feature, TCPC CFRT® composite insoles provide added support. TCPC CFRT® materials have been shown to reduce foot fatigue, improve stability, and increase comfort. Light and thin, the material can be heat adjusted for customization.

Features of Our Materials

Thermoformable

Parts are cut form consolidated sheets and then heated to about 177°C (350°F) and formed in 6–8 seconds under 10–15 psi.

Resilience

The resilience (spring or responsiveness) effect of Toray CFRT® composite materials ensures they return to their original shape through millions of cycles, reducing foot fatigue and injury while enhancing performance with spring in each step.

Design Freedom

Toray CFRT® materials are offered in a variety of fiber types and directions, allowing for different performance properties in each direction. With Toray CFRT®, a designer has the flexibility to develop a shoe component with different characteristics in both the medial-lateral and longitudinal direction.

Lightweight

Toray CFRT® materials offer superior performance and weight advantages over chopped fiber reinforced or non-reinforced injection molded materials. They provide enhanced stability and support, yet are lightweight and thin enough to minimize weight, reducing athlete fatigue and stress.

Resources

Toray CFRT® Footwear Brochure

Download PDF

Toray CFRT Thermoplastic Laminates in Footwear

Download PDF

Toray Guide to Composites—Volume One

Request print copy

Product Formats

Continually investing in product development, we have a portfolio of thermoset and thermoplastic materials that have been developed specifically for use within footwear, sport, and recreation applications.

Toray CFRT Thermoplastic Laminates

Toray laminates are offered in a variety of colors and patterns to match your design and strength/cost requirements.

Toray CFRT Thermoplastic UD Tape

Toray uni-directional (UD) thermoplastic tapes provide the lightest weight and highest strengths available in composite technology. UD tapes are combined into easy-to-use laminates, providing rigidity, support, and comfort while enhancing performance.

Need more information?

At Toray our goal is your success. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact us.

Toray Performance Materials Corporation, USA

Emailinfo@toraypmc.com

Call+1 (805) 482 1722

Toray Performance Materials Corporation, USA

Send email +1 (805) 482 1722

We use cookies for social media functionalities, personalized content and analytics. By clicking 'Accept' or continuing to browse our site and clicking through, you agree to such use and the sharing of your data with our partners. To find out more about our use of cookies, our partners or how to withdraw your consent see our Cookie Policy.