Carbon Fiber Experiments

'nother link

2008-06-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.sandmracing.com/cfbatterytie.html

link

2008-06-24T06:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.rollordrown.com/kayak/gstick.html

Interesting link

2008-06-17T00:17:00.001-07:00

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-methods-for-molding-fiberglass-and-carbon-f/

Experiment one - Part I

2008-06-15T13:48:00.001-07:00

As a first experiment we will make some carbon fiber heel guards for the
Honda CBR600RR.
We will laminate directly on the original part so that we won't need a mold.

Material used:
- carbon fiber sheet
- glass fiber sheet
- carbon fiber roving
- epoxy
- hardener
- accurate scale
- contact spray glue
- transparent adhesive sheet
- wax
- scissors

First step: we covered the rear side of the original heel guards
(brushed aluminium) with the adhesive film. We finished the profile with
sandpaper. We will laminate over the film so that the original part
won't be damaged by the sticky epoxy resin.

Second step: we waxed every surface of the heel guards, so the resin
won't stick to it.

At this point we laid down a carbon fiber sheet on each heel guard. The
right one has a slightly tricky bend so we sprayed it with contact glue
to allow the carbon fiber sheet to follow its shape.
We mixed the epoxy with the hardener (this is a 90' hardener),
proportions are 100/38, i.e. 38 grams of hardener for 100 grams of
epoxy. Total weight of resin should be about the same weight of the
carbon fiber sheet.
We put the resin on the carbon fiber sheet (an old credit card is
handy). We also used some unidirectional roving strands in order to add
strength.

At this point we laminated three sheets of glass fiber (cheaper/heavier
but good for this application where light weight is not a goal), with
epoxy after every sheet.

Part I is done, now we let it sit for at least 24 hours.

Starting the blog

2008-06-12T00:49:00.001-07:00

I will use this place to keep a trace of my experiments with carbon
fiber. More a reference for myself than a real blog.

I'll start with an interesting article found somewhere and a couple of
useful links.

Tutorials/etc:

http://www.instructables.com/id/S2KGTFJFAQEDGH2/
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/carbon-fiber-motorcycle-parts/

bolts/nuts/etc. (Ti/Alloy):

http://www.bsr-aerotek.com
http://www.jaeger-motorsport.de

composite parts shop:

http://www.swiss-composite.ch/