Sorsha

which would be better though? the Carbon Fiber? or the blend? or would it not really matter? I know there is also a fiberglass type blend that people are working with too. I dont really know though what products are sold with the blends.

1988RedT2

I think most of the appeal of carbon fiber is its "gee-whiz" hi-tech reputation and its distinctive appearance, which I frankly don't care for. I would be perfectly happy with a cheaper fiberglass piece if I was looking for a lightweight hood, for instance. I would assume the carbon fiber is a good bit stronger, and probably lighter, but so much of that is going to depend on the quality of the particular piece in question.

defprun

I dont mind naked CF on lips, wings or those little winglets. I dont mind if cf on body panels are painted.

FikseRxSeven

i agree,



i dont like carbon fiber on big body panels, hatch, hood (mine is painted) bumpers, fenders, etc.



but i feel that its a good accent to some cars... for example front spoilers, parts of wings, side skirts.... **** like that

94touring

Carbon fiber looks pretty gay when its not painted. Very rice if you ask me. Which is why my past 2 CF hoods have been painted.

Srce

[quote name='Sorsha' date='Apr 6 2005, 08:58 PM']which would be better though? the Carbon Fiber? or the blend? or would it not really matter? I know there is also a fiberglass type blend that people are working with too. I dont really know though what products are sold with the blends.


[/quote]



That would depend. There are really a lot of easy ways to mess up with CF and Kevlar. If it's wet layed-up CF then it'll be strong, not pliable and heavy thus defeating the point of CF except the strenght part. If it's dry CF, then it'll be the FEED Hood for the FD LOL, it's soo damn expensive. And if you have a Carbo/Kevlar composite then it'll be expensive, harder to make, in the middle of dry CF and Kevlar when it comes to weight but it'll also be pliable which is a good thing when it comes to seats for example.



I wouldn't buy a Carbon/Kevlar front bumper for example, the Kevlar composite would make it flex enough to maybe lose it's shape at high speeds. That's why you rarely or never see body parts made of Carbon/Kevlar composites.



Idealy, you should want everything you buy to be made in dry Carbon Fibre, it'll be strong, incredibly light, but the only draw back is the cost. Dry CF is really expensive.



Enjoy

Sinful7

[quote name='Srce' date='Apr 7 2005, 10:20 AM']I wouldn't buy a Carbon/Kevlar front bumper for example, the Kevlar composite would make it flex enough to maybe lose it's shape at high speeds. That's why you rarely or never see body parts made of Carbon/Kevlar composites.


[/quote]

For... your... civic?

mazdaspeed7

[quote name='Srce' date='Apr 7 2005, 01:20 PM']That would depend. There are really a lot of easy ways to mess up with CF and Kevlar. If it's wet layed-up CF then it'll be strong, not pliable and heavy thus defeating the point of CF except the strenght part. If it's dry CF, then it'll be the FEED Hood for the FD LOL, it's soo damn expensive. And if you have a Carbo/Kevlar composite then it'll be expensive, harder to make, in the middle of dry CF and Kevlar when it comes to weight but it'll also be pliable which is a good thing when it comes to seats for example.



I wouldn't buy a Carbon/Kevlar front bumper for example, the Kevlar composite would make it flex enough to maybe lose it's shape at high speeds. That's why you rarely or never see body parts made of Carbon/Kevlar composites.



Idealy, you should want everything you buy to be made in dry Carbon Fibre, it'll be strong, incredibly light, but the only draw back is the cost. Dry CF is really expensive.



Enjoy


[/quote]





You really have no idea what youre talking about, other than the bullshit thats been fed to you by manufacturers.



First off, there is no such thing as "dry" carbon fiber. Its called pre-peg, and it has the resin impregnated into the cloth from the factory. It has a very limited shelf life, has to be stored in a refrigerated environment, and needs to be cured in an autoclave.



On the other hand, a good wet lay-up with proper techniques and quality materials approaches all of the physical properties of auto-clave cured pre-pegs. The problem is you dont see quality materials and worksmanship in the automotive field. Nearly all automotive cf parts are made using boat building resins and boat building techniques, which cant come anywhere near true potential of carbon fiber.



The cloth itself is a very standard thing, other than changes in weight and weave pattern, the cloth is basically the same, and performs basically the same. Resins, on the other hand, are what give the composites the wide range of properties. There are hundreds of resins out there, and thousands of ways you can modify each to change the properties of the resin, both pre and post cure.



You should read up some on advanced composites in aviation. Its a completely different world.

Sorsha

SO very very much to learn... Have any of you run into any problems with the carbon fiber getting chared? Like for example that piece that goes on the bumper around the exhaust?

mazdaspeed7

[quote name='Sorsha' date='Apr 8 2005, 10:09 AM']SO very very much to learn... Have any of you run into any problems with the carbon fiber getting chared? Like for example that piece that goes on the bumper around the exhaust?


[/quote]





Most resins start breaking down at around 180-220 degrees. High temp resins are a good bit more expensive than regular ones, and theyre not as commom.