APEX Carbon Composite Driveshafts
APEX Space & Defense Systems is the industry leader in manufacturing high-performance composite driveshafts. Made from advanced wound-composite materials, our driveshafts are lightweight, durable, and set the standard for quality. We manufacture composite driveshafts for the most demanding commercial, racing and military applications, including Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) and the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). With prototype and high-volume manufacturing capabilities, APEX is your source for top-performance custom carbon fiber driveshafts.
Fully Patented ACPT Driveshafts
APEX pioneered the development and manufacturing of high-performance composite driveshafts for motorsport vehicles. That early work led to advanced driveshaft designs for Class 7 and Class 8 heavy-duty trucks, industrial applications and military vehicles. Today, we build custom carbon fiber driveshafts up to 420 inches in length and up to 36 inches in diameter for the most demanding applications.
Proven Performance
One of the tests APEX conducted was to confirm that carbon fiber driveshafts meet the demanding requirements of military vehicles, heavy vehicles, and racing cars. We tested a carbon driveshaft to 3,500 ft–lbs clockwise (CW), held for 15 seconds, and then cycled it at 2 Hz between +3,000 ft–lbs CW and 1,500 ft-lbs counterclockwise (CCW). The drive shaft was then proof tested at 3,500 ft-lbs for 15 seconds without failure.
In a Design Qualification Test, APEX torque-tested a carbon fiber driveshaft to failure at 5,980 ft-lbs, well above the yield strength of the aluminum 1350 U-Joint (2,260 ft-lbs). The results demonstrate that an APEX carbon fiber driveshaft, along with our carbon/metallic bonds, is the strongest component in the driveshaft system.
ACPT Driveshaft Test Key Conclusions
- APEX ACPT driveshaft passed a 3,500 ft-lb proof test for 15 seconds with no failure
- When tested to failure, an APEX composite driveshaft failed at 5,980 ft-lbs, far superior to the 2,260 ft-lb yield strength of the aluminum 1350 U-Joint
- The composite shaft operated as the strongest component within the driveshaft system
Why Composite Driveshafts Over Traditional Metal Driveshafts?
In extreme environments and when pushed to the limit, traditional metal driveshafts can fracture, leading to breakdowns, hazards, and even human injury from the lethal force unleashed on the chassis. In contrast, carbon fiber driveshafts simply disintegrate, eliminating the risk of additional damage. Composite driveshafts also feature a wide range of performance enhancements, including higher torque ratings, improved strength-to-weight ratios, and longer service life.
Key Advantages of Custom Carbon Fiber Driveshafts Over Metal Driveshafts
- Higher torque rating
- Higher operational rotating speeds (Higher Critical Speeds)
- Significantly lighter weight
- Corrosion resistant
- Superior fatigue and vibration damping
- Reduced wear
- 3-5x longer service life
- 1-piece solutions to replace multiple metallic driveshafts
- Direct replacement with no modifications
Manufacturing Capabilities for ACPT Driveshafts
From early design and development through final delivery, APEX provides complete expertise and support for complex filament-wound structures. Clients rely on our systems, equipment, and AS-ISO-certified manufacturing quality standards for the most demanding applications.
Our custom carbon fiber driveshaft manufacturing capabilities include:
- Lengths up to 420"/35'
- Diameters up to 36 inches
- Complete driveshaft material and design support
- CNC machining services for extremely tight-tolerance requirements
- Non-destructive inspection and proof testing
- 75,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities between California and Wisconsin
Learn How APEX Can Provide Custom Carbon Fiber Driveshafts for Your Application
Submit a request for more information, or contact us directly to learn how we can support your drive train needs with our custom-engineered composite driveshafts.