Fabricating parts with carbon fiber

[Hetmann]

I'm thinking of trying to make a few little parts. Has anyone seen any articles, websites, etc. that have good writeups on how to make carbon fiber parts?

[911ctS]

I've been working with CF for about 2 years now. Not a professional by any means, but fairly good for a back yard jobbie. Im currently in search of a strong vaccuum pump that can pull at least 8 psi. (ive gotten into vaccuum bagging). I have a book that a friend let me borrow and its pretty good. Let me know if you need any tips.

Clint

[Hetmann]

What's the title of the book and where can I find one?

[911nut]

Clint,
I'm going to attempt to make a stone shield out of C/F this summer. Would it be feasible to use the old steel one as a pattern?

[thabaer]

Jerry,

These guys have composite supplies, books and even starter kits:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/

They're also a good source for hose, ducting, aluminum tube, cable, etc...

[911ctS]

Jerry- I will check the title of the book when i get home and post it here. Aircraft spruce is a good source for materials. UScomposites is another company I use for buying the epoxy and CF cloth.

Paul- Yes, for best results you will have to make a fiberglass mold (a negative) off of your stone guard. then you prep the inside of the negative and lay in your carbon fiber (positive). this gives you a CF piece exactly like the origional. I will try to post some pics when i get home.

[kach22i]

You might need access to an AutoClave/high temperture oven.

There is a place near my house that uses the stuff, below is a link. See the Q & A section.

http://www.fortressstabilization.com/

[911ctS]

The name of the book ive been following is: Competition Car Composites by Haynes (as in Haynes car manuals). It seems pretty good and has had some helpful tips. Im pretty sure you could find this book in any Barnes and Noble, or hell just help out your local bookstore and call it a day.

Here are some pictures of what ive been doing "off and on" for the past year.

This is a pic of the glove box section from dash trim I did.


Here is the dash pannel I made to lay over my stock dash and fit behind all the gauges and cover that whole area. This is actually a un-cut F up (notice the pool of epoxy in the lower corner).


In this one you can see the vaccuum bagged stage as it sits on top of my floor furnace inside the house.


The vaccuum bagging is tough. Truth is I have not successfully completed a perfect one of these damn dash pieces yet. I need more power... my vaccuum pump only pulls about 20 hg or merc. so I need one that can do like 8 psi and these will come out nearly perfect. Here's some more F ups that are worthy of the round file.


On the autoclaving subject . I know for a fact that the only way to make a totally professional piece (like the chassis of the CGT or something) you need and autoclave. But for non structural, or non-importantly structural pieces your ok with really nothing but natural curing of the epoxy. I cook mine at a specific temp for specific time over the furnace, monitored by a pyrometer and it seems to really add strength. I wouldn't be make'in my own control arms or anything though.

Im sure someone else on this board has gone off on CF? No?