Carbon Fiber ?

[Steven Vaccaro]

Looking for some help with carbon fiber cloth. What are the weights of carbon fiber you guys are using to strengthen hulls? What are the sources for this stuff?

[Meniscus]

Steven, I know I've seen this link provided a few times before: http://www.acp-composites.com/home.php

Then there was that stuff that was woven CF and Aramid not too long ago. I can't remember the thread name.

[ghostofpf1]

The people at ACP are first rate in my book...I've used a single layer of ~5.6oz CF for most of my reinforcing with good results
Steve

[Meniscus]

Steven, here's that thread with the Carbon/Kevlar combination: http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/showthread.php?t=6510

[lonewolf]

I get mine from express composites in mpls mn.(near me) They have an online site I dont have the link handy. I thinkI used 8 oz??? been a while but it worked well for laying in the bottom of my 37 in mono (build thread here) I may have mentioned what I used..?

[jcald2000]

6k, 2x2 twill , 5.8 oz., from Sollinger

http://www.solarcomposites.com/composites/compositecarbon.html

[Meniscus]

Good link jcald. I seem to remember Joe posting that one.

Say, you must do a lot of searching in the forum ;)

[Darin Jordan]

Steven,

The carbon I've been using is 5.7oz. I get it from Fiberlay, which has a store just down the street from where I work:

http://www.fiberlay.com/


I think the stuff I've been using is this: 1725750 - GRAPHITE 5.7 OZ 3K X 50" x YD $39.00 - Graphite fabric, 5.7 oz/sq yd., plain weave, 3K

What I think I'd prefer, however, is a finer weave, like this stuff: 1725822T50 - GRAPHITE 5.7 OZ. 2X2 TWILL 50" x YD $39.00 - Carbon Graphite fabric 3K 5.7oz per sq. yd.

The finer weave forms to curved surfaces better. The plain weave, however, works fine for most applications, where the area is flat. Might even work better in those cases...

[jcald2000]

Meniscus,
Yes, LOTS of research! over 12 years of F/E. Plus I have molded up my own design for a SAW rigger, 48", 40" and 33.75" overall.
Darin,
The larger in dia. each thread is the stronger the cloth is so I prefer 6k cloth for molded hulls, for reinforcement the 3K is fine. the Twill has less kinks in the weave making it slightly stronger and it has better drape ability as you suggested.

[Meniscus]

jcald, do you pictures someplace of your builds?

[jcald2000]

FYI

http://www.carbonfibertubeshop.com/tube%20properties.html

[DISAR]

In e-bay there are some makers-sellers. This one has lots of stuff (carbon black or coloured, carbon/kevlar with colours etc...)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120381009301

[jcald2000]

Sorry no pictures.