big beam
Hi I'm Steve from Fibre Glast
today we're going to discuss the carbon fiber reinforcements that we offer at
Fibre Glast
dot com fabricators in today's composite industry
choose from three common reinforcements these include carbon fiber
fiberglass and Kevlar at Fibre Glast
we carry a selection of products in all three categories
each with benefits and drawbacks that you should consider before choosing a
fabric
in this video we'll discuss carbon fiber
you've likely seen carbon fiber on everything from auto racing to sporting
goods
its sleek black finish is easy to spot and it looks great
but what makes carbon fiber a popular choice
is performance that's because when created properly
a carbon fiber part will deliver unmatched strength and stiffness for
its weight
in fact when looking at strength to weight comparisons
carbon fiber outperforms most traditional building materials
to understand why carbon fiber is so strong
take a closer look graphite fibers contain up to 95 percent carbon which
yields the highest
ultimate tensile strength in the FRP industry tensile strength is the
pressure required to pull both ends of any length until it breaks
what's more carbon fiber also dominates the industry for compressive strength
the capacity of a material to withstand loads that compress
or tend to reduce size and flexural strength the ability to resist
deforming under load
it makes sense that carbon fiber is chosen for the strongest and most
precise parts
because it combines the industry's best in ultimate tensile
compressive and flexural strength along with excellent heat resistance and
machinability
when creating carbon fiber reinforcement
individual carbon fibers are bundled and processed to create a variety of fabrics
tapes sleeves and tow
each of these selections in textile form
embodies the inherent strength of carbon fiber but this strength is
only fully realized when combined with a resin during the lamination
process
this step is necessary and selecting the right
resin for your project is crucial to maximize strength properties for carbon
fiber
we recommend using an epoxy system like our System 2000
available at Fibre Glast dot com when combined with resin
carbon fiber just like fiberglass will produce hard reinforced parts
remember our carbon fiber is not intended to be used in the production
of flexible or soft materials the form of carbon fiber you select will depend upon
various factors of your application
at Fibre Glast Developments we take great measure to ensure that
all of our carbon fiber reinforcements meet our First Quality commitment
so you can expect the same properties and handling characteristics
every time you order from us carbon fiber does come with trade-offs that
fabricators must consider
it is significantly more expensive than other composite reinforcement fabrics
and like all composites the production process can be time
and labor-intensive also once you reach the ultimate strength of a carbon fiber
part
there is no yield it will fail suddenly and snap
or splinter you must consider disadvantages when starting a project
but don't let the lamination process for carbon fiber intimidate you
carbon fiber parts can be created using the same processes
from hand layup to the vacuum bagging that you would use with other reinforcements
no special tools or equipment are necessary
when it comes to uses carbon fiber is ideal for maximum strength and low
weight ratios are the target
you'll find carbon fiber parts in aerospace and aircraft
automotive and racing and the military and marine industries
you'll also find it sporting goods used for items like snowboards and skis
in the end when you fabricate with carbon you're going to have a part that boasts
not only impressive strength but an equally impressive look
the Fibre Glast First Quality guarantee means that our fabrics are virtually
flawless
which is necessary for perfect cosmetics for a finishing touch
and UV protection your laminate will require a topcoat
like our clear finish Duratec Sunshield which will keep it from yellowing
over time
learn more about our complete selection of carbon fiber at Fibre Glast
dot com and thanks for watching us on YouTube if this video is helpful
subscribe to the Fibre Glast channel and remember to like this video