Hi guys, just started learning about carbon fibre and finding it tough going finding quality info sources. Does anyone have any good info sources?
The other question that I’ve had on my mind for some time is heating the carbon fiber. I keep bumping into sites where there is talk about resins used to set the final shape but unless Im crazy, I could have sworn that special ovens are used in certain cases for I would imagine hardebing the carbon fibre? Anyone have additional info on this?
Ovens are used for pre-preg carbons… These are a carbon cloth which have had a special resin applied that will need heat to cure it quickly. It has to be kept in a freezer as it will cure at room temperature over time.
You then have dry cloth carbon that needs to have resins added and these can be polyester, vinylester or epoxy resins. The cheapest resins are usually polyester through to really expensive Epoxies. It just depends on use and what you want the resins to do… Some cannot take a lot of temperature when in use some can take very high temperatures… Some are quite flexible others can be brittle. Some have good clarity others not so… It is a case of looking at what you want to make and what properties you want it to have. As well as carbon you have other material options to add strength, stiffness or flexibility to a part… It is possibly best to think of one specific item and look at how you can make it and what you need to use for that one item. As you look you will find other things along the way… It is a journey I guess… Some here like me started because we had no choice as no one would do what we wanted or like me were let down and had to take it all on themselves… But most had a product or project planned and used that to find information and learn more…
Just for clarification, carbon fiber in its raw form is as flexible as your pants. Heating it will not cause it to stiffen or set. Resins are used to saturate the carbon fabric/filament bundles. When the resin sets/cures the carbon fiber fabric becomes stiff.
I get now, thanks guys.