Touchstone Research Laboratory
Develops advanced materials and products for aerospace, defense, and commercial applications, including CFOAM carbon foam, MetPreg aluminum composites, and 3D printing using in-house metals, reducing lead times and enabling lightweight structural components.
- CEO / Founder
- Brian Joseph
- Team Size
- 51-200
- Stage
- Established
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- U.S. Department of Energy
Technology & Products
Key Products
CFOAM carbon foam; MetPreg aluminum composites; Bonded MetPreg Repair; Faraday Thermal Protection Systems; Radar absorbing materials; 3D printed metal components
Technological Advantage
Touchstone's proprietary CFOAM carbon foam and MetPreg aluminum composites offer unique lightweight, fire-resistant, and high-temperature performance properties. The company has won over $200 million in R&D programs, indicating strong government and industry trust. Its in-house metal 3D printing using proprietary alloys provides a vertically integrated advantage. The core IP is protected through trade secrets and patents, though specific patent numbers are not publicly disclosed.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides lightweight, high-performance materials and components that outperform traditional titanium at temperatures up to 1000°F, reducing weight by 10% and improving specific static properties, while enabling rapid prototyping and on-demand production through in-house 3D printing.
How They Differentiate
Touchstone differentiates through its proprietary CFOAM carbon foam and MetPreg aluminum composites, which offer superior lightweight and high-temperature performance compared to traditional materials. Its in-house metal 3D printing capability using proprietary alloys provides a unique vertical integration advantage over competitors who focus solely on materials or printing.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Aerospace and defense prime contractors, NASA, military agencies, and commercial manufacturers
Industry Verticals
Aerospace; Defense; Space; Commercial manufacturing; Energy
Competitors
Luxfer; Hyperion Materials & Technologies; Tetramer Technologies
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Won over $200 million in R&D programs; estimated revenue around $53 million
Major Milestones
Founded in 1980; Developed CFOAM carbon foam; Moved Veloxint to Touchstone's campus in 2020; Completed major expansion of Touchstone Advanced Composites facility
Notable Customers
NASA; Lockheed Martin; Boeing; General Dynamics; Pratt & Whitney; Air Force Research Laboratory; DARPA; Department of Energy