Cover aluminium with carbon fiber

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#1

Hi!

I have some aluminium parts that i want to cover in carbon. What is the best way to do it? Will the epoxy stick to aluminium?

Thanks

#2

I’ve wrapped carbon to aluminum before and had no problems. Just make sure you scuff the aluminum and use a good bonding epoxy.

#3

A good scuffing of 80-180 grit, or sandblasting should help bond. You want a mechanical locking surface. I suggest a thin layer of glass on the metal, before the carbon, else it might corrode.

#4

thanks for the answers. The carbon will corrode the aluminium??or the epoxy?
The carbon is not in contact with the aluminum as there will be a base coat of epoxy bonding resin

#5

Spread epoxy onto aluminium before sanding then sand. Reason: aluminium oxidises very quickly (you can watch it dull after sanding). This method is messy but the epoxy stops the oxygen getting to the aluminium. Aluminium bonds well. Aluminium oxide bonds poorly.

#6

the aluminum will corrode. If you are adding a base coat to the metal first, and then letting it cure, and then adding the carbon, it will be fine. Just sand that base coat well. Same reason as before, a mechanical lock from one surface to the resin.