Carbon Fiber 101
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville, LA, USA
Carbon Fiber 101
Just a little write up I found on Carbon Fiber, Might answer some questions and shed some light on that crazy *** material.
http://www.hybrid-racing.com/%...t=677
http://www.hybrid-racing.com/%...t=677
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville, LA, USA
Re: Carbon Fiber 101 (Goatsterrman)
CARBON FIBRE
Carbon fibre is the most technological material available. It consists of a fabric of fibres immersed in a resin and then solidified. Mechanically, it can be unbeatable.
It is a synthetic fabric made up of fibres derived from petroleum and processed at high temperature. Advanced composite materials in carbon fibre are obtained by combining two or more components. Of all existing composite materials, the fibrous ones have the highest structural properties.
The unidirectional or woven fibres, pre-impregnated in resin, are placed in moulds along the load lines indicated by mathematical calculations, so as to obtain a component which meets specific technical and structural requirements. The process is completed with the hardening of the resin, which is achieved by “baking” in an autoclave to produce the final solid material.
Carbon fibre is a polymer which is a form of graphite. Graphite is one of the states of pure carbon. In graphite, the carbon atoms are disposed in aromatic hexagonal rings bonded to each other to form large planes. Their appearance is like that of metal netting.
Carbon fibres are a form of graphite in which these sheets are long and narrow; imagine that they are ribbons of graphite. These ribbons group together readily in bundles to form fibres, hence the name carbon fibre.
The fibres are not normally used alone, but are used to reinforce materials such as epoxy resins or other thermosetting materials. The resulting reinforced materials are known as composites because they contain more than one component.
Composites reinforced with carbon fibre have a very favourable strength to weight ratio. They are often stronger than steel but much lighter. For this reason, they are used to replace metals in many applications, such as aircraft, the Space Shuttle, race car bodies, tennis rackets and golf clubs.
"Carbon fibre" is a composite material in which the carbon fibre constitutes the effective reinforcement, enclosed in polymer resins of different types. The fibre performs the work of resisting stresses, while the resins act as a binding agent, i.e. they keep the fibres in their original position. This is because, while traditional metals respond identically to stresses applied in different directions, carbon fibre only resists stresses applied along the length of the fibres. It therefore follows that the right direction of the fibres is the cornerstone of a correctly built carbon chassis, which means that technology and experience are primary considerations.
It is true that carbon can be used to make all kinds of items. It is even used to make fishing rods and tennis rackets. But the chassis and suspension arms of Formula 1 cars are also made of carbon fibre, and for these applications you can't be casual with regard to strength and solidity. Everything depends on how the carbon is processed. The carbon thread itself has identical properties in every fibre, but it is woven differently so as to ensure adequate strength according to the direction of application of the stress. The secret of carbon fibre lies in the layering of its "skins": each layer can have different properties and is disposed along the stress lines to which the finished product will be subject.
Technique, creativity and precision are essential requirements for producing a hi-tech chassis. Along the entire path from idea to finished product, our chief pre-occupation is to strike the ideal balance between strength and weight.
To achieve our goal, we have developed a system of processing which makes best use of all the advantages of carbon fibre. The products made using these fabrics, impregnated with epoxy resins, bind the carbon atoms, and incorporate incredibly high strength and elasticity.
A monocoque structure in carbon fibre is currently the best material available for the construction of chassis, thanks to its high strength and low weight.
Properties:
• High specific strength
• High tensile strength
• High specific modulus of elasticity
• Low weight
(taken from http://www.atr.it )
Carbon fibre is the most technological material available. It consists of a fabric of fibres immersed in a resin and then solidified. Mechanically, it can be unbeatable.
It is a synthetic fabric made up of fibres derived from petroleum and processed at high temperature. Advanced composite materials in carbon fibre are obtained by combining two or more components. Of all existing composite materials, the fibrous ones have the highest structural properties.
The unidirectional or woven fibres, pre-impregnated in resin, are placed in moulds along the load lines indicated by mathematical calculations, so as to obtain a component which meets specific technical and structural requirements. The process is completed with the hardening of the resin, which is achieved by “baking” in an autoclave to produce the final solid material.
Carbon fibre is a polymer which is a form of graphite. Graphite is one of the states of pure carbon. In graphite, the carbon atoms are disposed in aromatic hexagonal rings bonded to each other to form large planes. Their appearance is like that of metal netting.
Carbon fibres are a form of graphite in which these sheets are long and narrow; imagine that they are ribbons of graphite. These ribbons group together readily in bundles to form fibres, hence the name carbon fibre.
The fibres are not normally used alone, but are used to reinforce materials such as epoxy resins or other thermosetting materials. The resulting reinforced materials are known as composites because they contain more than one component.
Composites reinforced with carbon fibre have a very favourable strength to weight ratio. They are often stronger than steel but much lighter. For this reason, they are used to replace metals in many applications, such as aircraft, the Space Shuttle, race car bodies, tennis rackets and golf clubs.
"Carbon fibre" is a composite material in which the carbon fibre constitutes the effective reinforcement, enclosed in polymer resins of different types. The fibre performs the work of resisting stresses, while the resins act as a binding agent, i.e. they keep the fibres in their original position. This is because, while traditional metals respond identically to stresses applied in different directions, carbon fibre only resists stresses applied along the length of the fibres. It therefore follows that the right direction of the fibres is the cornerstone of a correctly built carbon chassis, which means that technology and experience are primary considerations.
It is true that carbon can be used to make all kinds of items. It is even used to make fishing rods and tennis rackets. But the chassis and suspension arms of Formula 1 cars are also made of carbon fibre, and for these applications you can't be casual with regard to strength and solidity. Everything depends on how the carbon is processed. The carbon thread itself has identical properties in every fibre, but it is woven differently so as to ensure adequate strength according to the direction of application of the stress. The secret of carbon fibre lies in the layering of its "skins": each layer can have different properties and is disposed along the stress lines to which the finished product will be subject.
Technique, creativity and precision are essential requirements for producing a hi-tech chassis. Along the entire path from idea to finished product, our chief pre-occupation is to strike the ideal balance between strength and weight.
To achieve our goal, we have developed a system of processing which makes best use of all the advantages of carbon fibre. The products made using these fabrics, impregnated with epoxy resins, bind the carbon atoms, and incorporate incredibly high strength and elasticity.
A monocoque structure in carbon fibre is currently the best material available for the construction of chassis, thanks to its high strength and low weight.
Properties:
• High specific strength
• High tensile strength
• High specific modulus of elasticity
• Low weight
(taken from http://www.atr.it )
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post