How complicated is it to use carbon fiber?

Scherm · 01-01-2009, 04:15 PM

I wanted to know if anyone on here makes their own carbon fiber toys. What goes into making a spoiler, hood, etc... or even a key fob? Don't you need to bake the carbon fiber or something like that? How much does it cost, and how hard is stuff to make?

edit: I just saw the parked thread on how to carbon fiber, so this thread might have been made useless...

Jackstand Queen · 01-02-2009, 06:52 PM

Properly made Carbon Fiber items just need a heated oven chamber which can be hermetically sealed and a vacuum pump attached to remove excess atmosphere. Jet fighters and supercars rate this grade of carbon fiber.

Useless clots like me could throw some resin and carbon cloth together and make something that looks presentable. But it wouldn't be as strong as if done properly.

turboguy · 01-10-2009, 06:16 PM

Almost none of the carbon fiber anyone sees is done in an autoclave. That is only really beneficial for pre-preg fabrics. I've only used pre-preg at work and haven't even seen it for sale commercially. If you use a good two part epoxy resin with a medium to slow cure time (the faster it is, the more brittle, but the slower, the more cance of it slipping in the mold and developing tiny voids and microfractures.) Al you really need to make a grae A part is good resin (I use West Systems), A vacuum pump that will pull at least 29 in/hg continually, vacuum bagging supplies, and a good, non forced air, heat source. I use a big electric blanket from walmart for bigger projects and I have a small infared indirect heater for smaller projects.

Malem · 01-23-2009, 06:47 PM

iv made tons of ****, shrouds, interior pieces you name it iv made it... practice is what makes perfect.. and yes you need peelply, vaccum pump lots of little tricks of the trade to make **** perfectly..

deucegirl03 · 01-23-2009, 07:53 PM

dude Malem that is rad! i want to learn how to work with composites because i would love to be able to make my own pieces...

Malem · 01-24-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deucegirl03

dude Malem that is rad! i want to learn how to work with composites because i would love to be able to make my own pieces...

ill post some pics!!

01-01-2009, 04:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scherm mad skills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 67 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	How complicated is it to use carbon fiber? I wanted to know if anyone on here makes their own carbon fiber toys. What goes into making a spoiler, hood, etc... or even a key fob? Don't you need to bake the carbon fiber or something like that? How much does it cost, and how hard is stuff to make? edit: I just saw the parked thread on how to carbon fiber, so this thread might have been made useless... Last edited by Scherm; 01-01-2009 at 04:21 PM.

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01-02-2009, 06:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jackstand Queen Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 677 Thanks: 52 Thanked 56 Times in 53 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Properly made Carbon Fiber items just need a heated oven chamber which can be hermetically sealed and a vacuum pump attached to remove excess atmosphere. Jet fighters and supercars rate this grade of carbon fiber. Useless clots like me could throw some resin and carbon cloth together and make something that looks presentable. But it wouldn't be as strong as if done properly.

01-10-2009, 06:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
turboguy Resident Composites Guy Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 888 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Almost none of the carbon fiber anyone sees is done in an autoclave. That is only really beneficial for pre-preg fabrics. I've only used pre-preg at work and haven't even seen it for sale commercially. If you use a good two part epoxy resin with a medium to slow cure time (the faster it is, the more brittle, but the slower, the more cance of it slipping in the mold and developing tiny voids and microfractures.) Al you really need to make a grae A part is good resin (I use West Systems), A vacuum pump that will pull at least 29 in/hg continually, vacuum bagging supplies, and a good, non forced air, heat source. I use a big electric blanket from walmart for bigger projects and I have a small infared indirect heater for smaller projects.

01-23-2009, 06:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Malem Some Skills Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 62 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	iv made tons of **, shrouds, interior pieces you name it iv made it... practice is what makes perfect.. and yes you need peelply, vaccum pump lots of little tricks of the trade to make ** perfectly..

01-23-2009, 07:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
deucegirl03 Gearhead son! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canyon Country, CA Posts: 676 Thanks: 32 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	dude Malem that is rad! i want to learn how to work with composites because i would love to be able to make my own pieces...