Carbon fiber

Jonesy · 10-18-2011, 10:44 AM

Anyone have any experience with using carbon fiber to make small non structural parts? Looking for a general tutorial and a good source for the raw components.

JeffK5 · 10-19-2011, 09:42 PM

What kinds (shapes) of brackets are you making..

We do various types of layered composite components where I work. Some are carbon fiber , some are a fiberglass (Vette/boat like) and some are phenolic. I do know they all require vacuum bonding chambers and a bunch of designing and engineering do get the strength people associate with fiber bonded composites.

I'm no expert but all these types of materials have obvious grain structure ... almost like wood... when your going with the laminate direction it's damn strong but other ways it's very weak.

That make any sense?

gothodgie · 10-20-2011, 12:00 AM

Here is a link to a thread where a guy builds a snorkle out of carbon fiber for a fj60... probably not a part you are looking to make, but there is a lot of good info..
http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...r-snorkel.html

Jonesy · 10-20-2011, 08:23 AM

Jeff, I was going to try my hand at making a couple custom pieces for my streetbike. A side cover, caliper cover, etc.. I hate polishing chrome so thought about making some CF covers just for aesthetic purposes. For your composites to you use vacuum bags, or do you just pop the parts into an oven/autoclave?

Thanks for the link Chris. I've done a few searches on youtube and google. It seems like everyone does it a different way.

TomH · 10-20-2011, 07:52 PM

PS...

Carbon fiber, or more to the point, the resins in CF fab, are generally not UV stable. It's tough to paint over the bling, but necessary.

JeffK5 · 10-20-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesy

Jeff, I was going to try my hand at making a couple custom pieces for my streetbike. A side cover, caliper cover, etc.. I hate polishing chrome so thought about making some CF covers just for aesthetic purposes. For your composites to you use vacuum bags, or do you just pop the parts into an oven/autoclave?

We use vacuum bags and low temp furnaces ... I guess the bags promote 100% bonding and the temp run cures it for maximum strength?

I think there clear coatings to offer UV protection for natural look carbon fiber?

10-18-2011, 10:44 AM	#1
Jonesy Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Piner, KY Posts: 141	Carbon fiber Anyone have any experience with using carbon fiber to make small non structural parts? Looking for a general tutorial and a good source for the raw components. __________________ JT Jones 83 Toyota - beater 87 Toyota Truggy

10-20-2011, 12:00 AM	#3
gothodgie Join Date: May 2009 Location: loveland Posts: 843 Images: 49	Here is a link to a thread where a guy builds a snorkle out of carbon fiber for a fj60... probably not a part you are looking to make, but there is a lot of good info.. http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...r-snorkel.html __________________ chris hodges 96 fzj80 3x locked, 4"lift, 37s, homebrew sliders and bumpers,a work in progress 71 fj55, SOA, locked...The jungle bus... retired

10-20-2011, 08:23 AM	#4
Jonesy Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Piner, KY Posts: 141	Jeff, I was going to try my hand at making a couple custom pieces for my streetbike. A side cover, caliper cover, etc.. I hate polishing chrome so thought about making some CF covers just for aesthetic purposes. For your composites to you use vacuum bags, or do you just pop the parts into an oven/autoclave? Thanks for the link Chris. I've done a few searches on youtube and google. It seems like everyone does it a different way. __________________ JT Jones 83 Toyota - beater 87 Toyota Truggy

10-19-2011, 09:42 PM	#2
JeffK5 Tiny Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colerain Posts: 798	What kinds (shapes) of brackets are you making.. We do various types of layered composite components where I work. Some are carbon fiber , some are a fiberglass (Vette/boat like) and some are phenolic. I do know they all require vacuum bonding chambers and a bunch of designing and engineering do get the strength people associate with fiber bonded composites. I'm no expert but all these types of materials have obvious grain structure ... almost like wood... when your going with the laminate direction it's damn strong but other ways it's very weak. That make any sense?

10-20-2011, 07:52 PM	#5
TomH Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Anderson Posts: 95	PS... Carbon fiber, or more to the point, the resins in CF fab, are generally not UV stable. It's tough to paint over the bling, but necessary.