CARBON CATEGORIES
CARBON FIBER
Carbon fiber is a material made of very thin strands of carbon atoms, which are incredibly strong, stiff, and lightweight. It is five times stronger than steel and twice as stiff, yet weighs significantly less, making it an ideal material for high-performance applications in industries like aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment. These strands are bonded together with a polymer matrix to form composite materials Composition and properties
- Composition: Carbon fiber consists of crystalline filaments of carbon, with the atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern, similar to graphite. Most fibers are made from a precursor like polyacrylonitrile (PAN).
- Properties:
- High stiffness and tensile strength
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- High chemical resistance
- High-temperature tolerance
- Low thermal expansion
Applications
- Aerospace: Used in aircraft and spacecraft for its strength and low weight.
- Automotive: Employed in high-performance cars to reduce weight and improve efficiency.
- Sports: Found in products like bicycles, golf clubs, and tennis rackets to enhance performance.
- Other industries: Also used in military equipment and various other high-tech fields.
CARBON FABRIC
Carbon fabric, or carbon fiber fabric, is a textile *woven from thin, strong carbon filaments bundled into tows. These fabrics are prized for their **exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, high stiffness*, and resistance to corrosion and temperature. It is typically used to create high-performance components and structures when combined with a plastic or epoxy resin to form a composite material.
- key Features for Composite Manufacturing
- High Tensile Strength:- On a weight-for-weight basis, carbon fibers are significantly stronger than steel, providing exceptional structural strength to composites.
- High Strength-to-Weight Ratio:-Despite high strength, the fabric is remarkably lightweight, making it essential for aerospace and automotive industries.
- Low Creep & Low Elongation:-The fibers maintain their shape and strength over time under stress, exhibiting minimal creep and stretching very little before breaking.
- Good Impact Resistance:-They are resistant to impact and abrasion damage, making the resulting composite materials tough and durable.
- Variety of Weaves Available in various weave patterns (Plain, Twill, Satin) to optimize flexibility and drape for different molding processes.
- Primary Use: Composite Reinforcement.
- *Aircraft & Satellites:* Fuselage, wings, and interior fixtures.
- *Race Cars & EV Chassis:* Structural panels and chassis reinforcement.
- *Sporting Goods:* High-end marine equipment, surfboards, and cycling components.
CARBON YARN
Carbon yarn, more accurately called carbon fiber yarn, is a bundle of thousands of thin, strong carbon filaments used primarily in industrial and high-performance applications where a high strength-to-weight ratio is required. It is a key material for creating composite parts used in various industries.
Applications & Properties
Carbon fiber yarn is known for its exceptional properties, including high stiffness, tensile strength, and resistance to corrosion and high temperatures. These characteristics make it suitable for a wide array of specialized uses:
- Composite Manufacturing: It is a fundamental raw material in processes like weaving, braiding, and filament winding to create carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP).
- Aerospace & Automotive: Due to its light weight and high strength, it is used for aircraft parts, racing car bodies, and other components where weight savings are critical.
- Sporting Goods: Common applications include the production of fishing rods, golf club shafts, and bicycle frames.
- Civil Engineering: It is used for structural reinforcement in construction.
- Electronics & Textiles: Its electrical conductivity allows for use in antistatic clothing, flexible heating elements, and as an additive to materials like asphalt for heated pavements