Carbon fiber

The best known reinforcing fibers are glass fibers, aramid fibers and carbon fibers. Carbon fibers are made through pyrolysis of carbon-polymer-threads.

The threads contain a continuous carbon chain (-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-). The end-product consists of 95% pure carbon. When the fibers are layered in resin, materials of enormous strength are the result.

Fiber reinforced components by far surpass comparable metal components. Intelligent design will maximize the benefits while minimizing the drawbacks.

The main difference to metal parts is that all properties depend on the direction of the fibers. Carbon fiber materials are seven times stronger than metal counterparts when measured in the direction of the fibers, and weaker in an orthogonal direction. Fibers can be varied in thickness and direction. Thus, carbon fiber allows an ideal shape of each component, putting strength where it is needed and saving weight everywhere else. Lightweight components with unmatched stiffness and durability are the result.