Carbon Fiber

[LarrysDrifter]

I was thinking about putting carbon fiber in my cat to help strengthen the hull.The problem is I have no idea how do it.Is it laid in like fiberglass and resin?Do you use epoxy for cf and brush or roll it in?If so,what kind of epoxy?Id like to do this right the 1st time.I really want this boat to turn out super nice and done right.Any input?

[Diegoboy]

Is it an ABS cat?

[Basstronics]

I used 30 min epoxy then a dash of alcohol to thin it out.

End result:

[sailr]

I do the same using epoxy and alcohol.

[LarrysDrifter]

Is it an ABS cat?

Its an H&M Drifter L.Fiberglass.I know how to lay fiberglass.Roll the matting out with resin and such,but is CF the same procedure only with epoxy?And can I put stringers on top of the CF for my motor mounts?Talking about it makes me nervous.Appreciate everyones help.

[LarrysDrifter]

I used 30 min epoxy then a dash of alcohol to thin it out.

End result:

It looks good.Nice and smooth.Thats the look I want.And strength too.My hull is getting a big Neu Motor or a LittleScreamers 650kv.Need it strong as can be.

[Gerwin Brommer]

If you're using epoxy, use 24-h epoxy. That's the most strongest version.
Don't use alcohol etc to thin it. Just heat up the epoxy !
That will make it thin and more fluid.
Don't use as much epoxy as you see in the pic already posted, it only adds weight, and NO
strenght !

btw : carbon-only is cosmetic-only !
The better way is using a hybrid-cloth/fabric. A mixture of carbon and kevlar.
Twill weave or atlas weave are the best types of weave/cloth.

Pic of my current build : atlas hybrid cloth.

[r1dermon]

carbon adds significant strength and rigidity...it's just overkill IMO. that cloth in the picture is beyond wetted out.

heating epoxy will reduce its cure time, so you better work fast if that's your plan.

tough to find a good FG/kevlar hybrid nowadays...carbon should suffice, and you dont need major weight. 4oz or so should be fine. using a paint brush i'd brush the hull, maybe hit it with a hairdryer till it gets tacky, then lay your wetted cloth.

after all is said and done, do not sand your FG. it will eat away at the fibers and compramise all that strength you were going for. it is much more expensive than FG, and imo isn't really needed unless you're breaking speed records or you have a thin piece that needs a lot of strength (like a MMT or a rigger).

anyway good luck. post pictures. (IMO you should be looking at 1k-3k cloth. and be prepared to shell out 18-30 bucks for quality carbon per sq yd).

[LarrysDrifter]

Do you have a link or can you tell me where to get atlas hybrid cloth?Of course I want it to look nice,but I want it strong more importantly.

[LarrysDrifter]

Ok,so Id be okay with leaving it bare FG?Ive found no thing spots on the hull.No speed records here,just fast in general.Maybe 60 to 70mph if it ll handle it.Dont wanna destroy the hull over driving fast.My big outrunner is around 2lbs,so that is my concern.I will post pics of the build.Itll be my 1st.Gonna come together slowly though,work is slow right now.

[LarrysDrifter]

Meant to say thin spots in previous reply

[Basstronics]

http://www.fibreglast.com/category/Kevlar

http://www.fibreglast.com/category/Carbon_Fiber

I only used enough to wet it out thoroughly. There is no puddling.

[r1dermon]

http://www.solarcomposites.com/

call them. they're a lot more in-depth on the phone. not knocking any other source, i've used many sources for composites for rocketry, and soller has always delivered the best quality at the best price. the hybrid will look awesome on the bottom of a boat, and will be sufficiently strong for anything that comes it's way. (you'll probably be able to jump up and down on it. i built a 3" rocket out of their hybrid tubing, 2 layers of hybrid cloth, 2 layers of hybrid tape for the base of the fins, and im 230lbs and could stand on the airframe with no ill effects.

[Gerwin Brommer]

r1demon :

why using a hybrid cloth in a rocket ?
The "forces" working in on a rocket don't come in an angle.
Kevlar has no strenght in the lenght of the fibres.
IMO carbon only is enough for a rocket.
Or do you use a hybrid because of the landing of the rocket ?

Ps : to all others : sorry for going a bit off-topic !

[Basstronics]

I actually bought my CF off E bay. Sometimes people sell shorts and leftovers. There are a few business's doing this.