Light weaight carbon fiber?

[Basstronics]

Im working on a hull that needs some reinforcement. I have some carbon only and some carbon/kevlar cloth, but both are a larger weave and heaver than I want to use in this boat.

I think the carbon/kevlar is a 2x2 twill, I am unsure of the weight (bought from kintec).

Im looking for a suggestion on a light weight, thin and easy working cloth. I need to cover some surfaces that are small and tight and very hard to get to. So I dont want a carbon/kevlar (kevlar seems to be more rigid).

[Jairoc23]

I usually get my carbon from Jamestown Distributors. Their 2x2 twill is 5.8oz per yard. Here's a link

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/search_subCategory.do?categoryName=Carbon%20Fiber&category=522&refine=1&page=GRID

[Basstronics]

I was on www.fiberglast.com and noted some 1k standard weave. Its only .006" thick, looks nice and flexible. So I picked up some on fleabay.

The 2x2 twill is simply to heavy/thick/dense for what Im doing. I have some in carbon and carbon/kevlar here.

[JimClark]

Ryan a link for what you bought please?

[Basstronics]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0&_nkw=CARBON+FIBER+FABRIC+1K+PLAIN+WEAVE&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Similar to or same as the stuff from Fiberglast but you can get smaller remnants. You can see it move a bit in the video bellow.

http://www.fibreglast.com/product/1K_Plain_Weave_Ultralight_Carbon_Fiber_Fabric_2363/carbon-fiber-fabric-classic-styles

[larryrose11]

I have tried a bunch of different carbon fiber cloths. By far, the best I have found is Soller Composits.

http://www.sollerpaddles.com/

Good deals too. The fabric doesn't fray, and the weave stays in place.

As far as the tight spots, I definitely would use peel-ply release fabric. Once you wet the CF fabric and place it, put peel ply fabric directly over the wet CF, and then use blocks of foam to shove the CF into place. Put a good clamp on the whole thing if you can, or compress the foam by wrapping the whole thing in tape. The peel-ply fabric lets all the extra resin through. Once it is all cured, you peel it off, (not easy, but I have never had it rip, as it is really tough) the extra resin comes of with it!
Works great in corners, on transoms and such. It will leave the CF looking dull, but that is easy to fix later. you will be impressed at how well you are able to get the CF in all the tight spots, with no bridging in the corners.

[keithbradley]

Basstronics-

Standard 3k Carbon Fiber is quite thin...anything less isn't going to offer much in terms of support.
If your issue is getting it around corners, you may look more toward the weave you are using, which will have more of an effect on it's ability to conform. If a 2x2 twill is too tight, try a harness weave. It will conform more than 2x2 and much more than a plain weave.

[grsboats]

I second Soller but Aerospace Composites also offers good deals.Gill

[Basstronics]

The 1K plain weave came in today. I cut some 2 1/4" x 8" strips and put two in at one time over top each other.

The material was somewhat stiff compared to regular fiberglass. However one I wet it from only one side she laid right on down and stayed down.

I would say the weight is sufficient for what Im doing. Two layers is plenty to reinforce an area.