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Carbitex – the leader in flexible carbon fiber composites – is proud to announce the recent patent protection of its new anti-puncture foot plate technology. Expanding its advancements across flexible carbon fiber innovations, Carbitex’s new AFX anti-puncture (AFX-AP) material offers increased protection without compromising asymmetric flexibility; notably ideal for workers at increased risk of underfoot injury as often seen in construction, workwear, and utility sectors.
Carbitex AFX anti-puncture material (US Patent # 11109639B2) is a multi-layer composite plate that offers the highest degree of performance, and is the only plate with anti-puncture protection and asymmetric flexibility. The new AFX-AP is a protective evolution of Carbitex’s lightweight flexible carbon fiber AFX technology that is stiff in one direction to prevent the foot from over-flexing, and is highly flexible in the other direction for improved ergonomic movement. AFX-AP passes global industry test standards (ASTM F2412-11, EN 12568:2010, CZA Z195-14).
The AFX-AP technology was created by Arjun Shanker, Scott Woolley and Tyler Carpenter, who identified an opportunity to develop an advanced material that would allow for an evolution of traditionally heavy and bulky work-shoe construction to lighter more nimble footwear, that still retains the protective and supportive qualities. AFX-AP allows for this shift by providing the protection and stability usually accomplished through heavy and bulky outsoles in a lightweight package.
“Pushing the paradigm of the construction of work shoes, AFX-AP reduces the need for heavy, stiff protective soles and makes way for lighter, flexible, more ergonomic footwear,”
says Tom DeShiell, Principal Engineer/R&D Manager at Carbitex. “Our latest innovation addresses the critical needs of workers, providing protection and stability, with lightweight performance for long hours on the job site.”
AFX-AP is Carbitex’s first foray into the work and utility footwear markets, and is available to brand partners beginning Fall 2022 for in-market product release as early as Fall 2023.
