View Full Version : Carbon Fibre
ultim8DTM5 01-05-2003, 11:38 PM Okay I have a crazy idea for my car and I would like to know if it would be feasible and affordable.
Basically I would be using carbon fibre myself with moulds etc to form various shapes, and would like some information where I could purchase it. I am familiar with fibreglass construction, is the carbon fibre process similar at all with sheets and resin?
Drop your thoughts here...don't fret, no rice here, only sparkle motion!
:wave:
ultim8DTM5 01-05-2003, 11:50 PM Okay I've found an excellent article on how to construct carbon fibre, just where to get the cloth, resins, etc?
ACS S3 Sport 01-06-2003, 12:28 AM Pete..... get the Resins and the CF weave from Car Shine in Melbourne! They have those things there!!! They will open on the 13th of Jan!!!
And yes... it works exactly the same as the Fibre Glass piece construction!
Remember to take some pictures while you are doing them! it might be a good "article" of DIY man!!! You got me now?! hehehe...
btw.. has Eric contacted you back yet???? and ask him to make a business card for you too! making your life easier that way!
cheers,
richie
ultim8DTM5 01-06-2003, 04:20 AM Yep I'll forward you the reply...I've found several places that have the necessary goods (Industrial Composites), so I will chase it up with Carshine and depending if I can get it cheaper from the manufacturer (likely, Carshine is tre exclusive) I will see if I can get the ball rolling...
Sorry about the suspense, but it will be a first!
CafeRacer 01-06-2003, 04:58 AM Originally posted by ultim8DTM5
Yep I'll forward you the reply...I've found several places that have the necessary goods (Industrial Composites), so I will chase it up with Carshine and depending if I can get it cheaper from the manufacturer (likely, Carshine is tre exclusive) I will see if I can get the ball rolling...
Sorry about the suspense, but it will be a first!
So youre thinking of lightening the Barina with CF-covered ash trays huh?:mdrbig
:boink
Im Pete, pete repeat, repeat repeat......:alright
CafeRacer 01-06-2003, 05:03 AM Originally posted by Bill
wwwcarb.com
Bill, i like how it says youre a "New Member", as well as "Posts: 1685"...
:laugh
nicot 01-06-2003, 06:09 AM Hey Pete I'm in for abit of CF work! Would have to get some advice from Dr Carbon Fibre (ACSM3) though.
ultim8DTM5 01-06-2003, 06:49 AM Heh Nico I called Richie tonight actually, the kit he was talking about was from Foliatec, I should be able to get it cheaper tools from the industry...I may start to experiment soon.
ACS S3 Sport 01-06-2003, 07:11 AM Pete.... I thought the normal Fibre Glass cloth is quite dear already???? I heard this from Joe (from GAH).... and the size isn't too far away from what I have got in Carbon Fibre though... Hopefully CF industry can be able to supply cheaper prices!!! Please keep us updated, thanks man!!!
Talk to you soon!
richie
ultim8DTM5 01-06-2003, 07:46 AM I'm thinking of using 3k for minute bits and 6k for large pieces to keep costs down...so far $50 per sq metre of 3k, cheaper if I buy in bulk, but thats from the US so factor in shipping.
You Like???
http://www.carb.com/images/3572HV.jpg
ACS S3 Sport 01-06-2003, 08:07 AM Pete:
The other thing is.. how are you going to avoid those bubbles in the resin + hardener????? because whenever I try to mix them up, I got some bubbles, should I reduce the quantity of the hardener to avoid this problem? Or we have to work in a vaccum condition to eliminate any bubble.... since we tend to see those bubbles much easier on CF weaves than on the white fibre glass weave though!
cheers,
richie
ultim8DTM5 01-06-2003, 08:37 AM Use a squeegee to smooth it out, and don't use too much epoxy/hardener at one time or else it becomes too thick and bubbles...
read this very good:
http://www.bryanf.com/info/carbonf1.htm
babbo 01-06-2003, 09:04 AM I can't wait to see how this all turns out, will be insane.
Won't you need to make up moulds to sculpt the shapes or are you going to do it all freeform and just try to make it quickdry?
ultim8DTM5 01-06-2003, 09:23 AM There is no such thing as quickdry(??) as the epoxy/hardener needs time to cure (which takes several hours) before the next layer goes on.
If it is a flat surface you can do it freeform, however for more interesting shapes you could make a mould, which is not that hard, just use the existing surface, cover with fibreglass or similar, add a non-stick gelcoat and you get a plug (the bottom layer.) Work from there by adding layers on top of the plug. Remember paper mache' from kindy? Same concept.
You could even cover it in plastic but for tricky surfaces it would not be feasible...but you get the idea.
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