Seeing as its so hard to get carbon here in the states, I was wondering why more of you have not imported rolls of it from abroad.
I have delt so little with carbon that I couldnt tell you what problems I would be looking for but I have to say that since most of us are using 3K 2X2 twill… its really not for structural purposes as we do it for cosmetic reasons. Is the import carbon that poor compared to American material?
I would be more worried about the material being dmaged/distorded during the shipping process. My company imporants some blown glass from china and not only are the dimensions all over the place but so piece brake during shipping, even though they are “safely” wrapped
Thats the only reply I can get out of that?
I figured all of you would weigh in on this subject.
I own a leather racing apparell company and can get other kinds of textiles in from the country that makes my leathers. Just curious if I should try getting carbon from overseas if its easier to get.
It won’t hurt to try, but there are only a hand full of carbon fiber manufacturers in the world. Toray Industries, Mitsubishi Rayon, Hexcel, Hercules, etc. They are all rationing their fiber with preference to the military and aircraft users being the top priority.
What really needs to be made (and marketed right now!) is a fiberglass that really looks like carbon. Using carbon fabric for cosmetic appearance is a travesty given the performance charactieristics the material is manufactured to meet. Look-alike fabric would relieve some of the pressure of finding carbon cloth actually needed for high performance laminates. Being a small time operator, I will have to shut down my small business unless something changes in the next 6 months. Seeing carbon cloth used to cover dashes, pillars, and consoles makes me cringe.
I believe that they have what your talking about. Its a polyester and carbon or dyed kevlar and carbon. The kevlar being half of the material should make it alot easier to come by.
I just got some samples of aluminumized fiberglass. I got some silver and some black, I also ordered a yard of the kevlar hybrid fabric to see how it works in my applications.
I heard that they are trying to come up with it all pretty quickly.
I would doubt if you could buy just 1 or 2 rolls from a CF dealer overseas as they would want at lest a skid or a full contianer…
Then getting it over here in one piece.
Also there will be, my guessimate, tariffs & customs costs at the dock. If you share a container with other goods, and there is anything illegal (from what you can guess to auto parts that the reciever didn’t have permission to import without a license from the OEM manufacturer - I can tell you war stories with ACVW parts) in that container, all of the stuff gets confiscated!
Even dealing with the customs agent can be a nightmare too…and more fees there too.
Then getting it delivered to you…every step costs $$$$$'s.
I say, if you are an American, buy American made products and materials!
I’ll get off my “Arm & Hammer” soap box now…
Your soap box is fine.
I already import goods from overseas as I could never be in business if I had to go at the costs for the same product made in america. Its 4 times the price.
I would love to buy american all the time but when the military decides that it needs it all for stealth ships and planes…what are the rest of us to do?
I didnt get into this because I wanted to play around, I go for the gusto with everything I do.
When I cant seem to get any companies to stand up and do what they need to do it get frustrating. I have had to use 3 different companies just to get what I have to start doing this. Its a nightmare and while I dont live in California I shouldnt have to to get what I need.