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Carbon vs glass
By:Sam McFadden
Date: 1/28/2008, 10:37 pm
In Response To: Strip: Carbon Fiber (Mike Bielski)

... Like everyone, I want to maximize strength-to-weight and I'd
: like to use some carbon cloth in places for the weight savings, and that
: leads me to my first question. Carbon cloth is rated just like glass,
: isn't it? So if I use 5.7oz. carbon it will still weigh 5.7oz/sq yard?
: That means I'll only see a negligible weight reduction over 6 oz glass,
: but what is the increase in strength?...

Mike,

Carbon comes in one color but many grades. The most common that we can buy in small quantities is about the same strength as E-glass, but a lot stiffer. So if you want to stiffen something, it is a good choice, but if you want to strengthen something it doesn't offer a big benefit.

Yes, 5.6 oz carbon weighs a bit less than 6 oz glass, but carbon is less dense than glass, roughly 30% less dense. So, assuming you achieve the same resin to fiber volume ratio with carbon and glass, a 5.6 oz carbon lay-up will weigh more than a 6 oz glass lay-up.

I'm not trying to put you off using the stuff, but do hope you do it for the right reason - maybe just because you want to.

Sam

Messages In This Thread

Strip: Carbon Fiber
Mike Bielski -- 1/26/2008, 12:02 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Bill Hamm -- 1/30/2008, 2:03 am
Composite materials strength comparison *LINK*
Mike Bielski -- 2/4/2008, 8:29 pm
Re: Composite materials strength comparison
Charlie -- 2/6/2008, 12:28 pm
Re: Composite materials strength comparison
Toni V -- 2/7/2008, 2:44 am
Zylon looks impressive!
Brian Nystrom -- 2/6/2008, 6:38 am
Re: Zylon looks impressive!------WebKitFormBoundar
Mike Bielski------WebKitFormBoundaryVSCu9RRcf5g+Of -- 2/6/2008, 8:17 am
Re: Zylon looks impressive!------WebKitFormBoundar
Bill Hamm -- 2/10/2008, 2:56 am
Zylon fabric *LINK*
Dan Caouette (CSFW) -- 2/6/2008, 11:47 am
Re: Composite materials strength comparison
LeeG -- 2/6/2008, 1:34 am
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Mike Bielski -- 1/30/2008, 3:40 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Bill Hamm -- 1/31/2008, 12:55 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Paul G. Jacobson -- 1/31/2008, 3:58 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Bill Hamm -- 2/1/2008, 12:35 am
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Mike Bielski -- 1/31/2008, 1:59 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber *LINK*
Reg Lake -- 1/31/2008, 3:31 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Paul G. Jacobson -- 1/31/2008, 3:38 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Reg Lake -- 1/31/2008, 4:13 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Bill Hamm -- 2/1/2008, 12:37 am
An essay on tech no log y
Paul G. Jacobson -- 2/1/2008, 2:20 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Paul G. Jacobson -- 1/31/2008, 3:30 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Tom Armstrong -- 1/29/2008, 4:24 pm
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber *LINK*
Etienne Muller -- 1/29/2008, 11:06 am
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Toni V -- 1/29/2008, 7:40 am
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Mike Savage -- 1/29/2008, 9:36 am
Re: Strip: Carbon Fiber
Toni V -- 1/29/2008, 11:02 am
Carbon vs glass
Sam McFadden -- 1/28/2008, 10:37 pm
Re: Carbon vs glass
Mike Bielski -- 1/28/2008, 11:37 pm
Carbon Fiber or ?
Paul G. Jacobson -- 1/28/2008, 9:36 pm