I figure nothing ventured nothing gained right?
For a current project I'm working on I would like to use a carbon fiber shell. Google doesn't have any good news for me in terms of price so I figured I would ask the community lol.
For a current project I'm working on I would like to use a carbon fiber shell. Google doesn't have any good news for me in terms of price so I figured I would ask the community lol.
You will need to be more specific on your requirements; Sizes, thickness, hardness etc.
Carbon Fibre can be bought in cloth like material or specifically manufactures Carbon Fibre impregnated epoxy sheet.
I would ask at a boat builders store.
Carbon Fibre can be bought in cloth like material or specifically manufactures Carbon Fibre impregnated epoxy sheet.
I would ask at a boat builders store.
Would you also like to improve your composite german?
That's my favorite shop and playground for these kind of products.
As for today's carbon special:
https://shop.swiss-composite.ch/ki.php/Verstaerkungsfasern/Kohlefasern.html
https://shop.swiss-composite.ch/ki.php/Halbfabrikate.html
Watch also for theirs tech highly educative infos within the downloadable catalogue.
That's my favorite shop and playground for these kind of products.
As for today's carbon special:
https://shop.swiss-composite.ch/ki.php/Verstaerkungsfasern/Kohlefasern.html
https://shop.swiss-composite.ch/ki.php/Halbfabrikate.html
Watch also for theirs tech highly educative infos within the downloadable catalogue.
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You need a two part epoxy, vacuum pump, vacuum bag, a mold, and some basic skills. No autoclave needed 🙂
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/bigraphite.php
Probably won't be pretty though if you're new to wet layup composites. Like most things in life, takes lots practice to get it right.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/bigraphite.php
Probably won't be pretty though if you're new to wet layup composites. Like most things in life, takes lots practice to get it right.
Thank you for pointing that out 🙂
Yeah I've seen they do at home kits too. Only reason I dont do that is because the sheets usually end up being about as expensive as the finished product so would rather just get it finished.
That's another reason I'm not gonna try it lol. Don't have too much hands on with composites and the like. Especially in this case since the carbon fiber needs to be structurally sound and I wouldn't wanna mess that up.
That was the first site I went to lol
It's the large tube I was going to get (16" diameter). But at .1" thickness it's almost 1500 😱
I could imagine wrapping a concrete former (SonoTube) with fiberglass/epoxy or CF/epoxy might get you part of the way there unless it has to be 💯 % carbon fiber. Sounds like a bass trap!
I mean, by that rationale, a pvc pipe would work just fine.
Sort of. The idea is to use a round, rigid surface to alleviate baffle stepping and help to disburse the bass evenly without distortion
It would and it would be really expensive, not CF prices but pretty dear. Sonotube is cheap and would likely take finishes better after a layer of epoxy/cloth.
Do you mean like making a concrete speaker? I would imagine that would be a lot heavier than CF lol
Sonotube is cardboard. It would be a cheaper alternative to carbon fiber. You can finish the outside to your tastes, or at least build an affordable proof of concept. A four foot length of the 0.100" carbon fiber tube referenced about weighs 8.5lbs. The shipping weight of four feet of sonotube is just under 3lbs.
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Up to you 🙂 If you want something round, sonotube has the benefit inexpensive 😎
Use release film around a pvc pipe and vacuum a wet layup of fiberglass with the outer course being CF or one of visibly interesting CF hybrid weaves.
So I wouldn't need a mold or anything?
Also, what exactly is a layup? If you want electronics help I can do that pretty well but on handling CF not so much 😅
The most experience I have there is a few youtube videos and a post by @fredygump lol
Look at JEGS, Amazon and Summit Racing for carbon fiber sheet. There are solid sheets, good for light duty and honeycomb sheet good for medium to heavy duty applications. I've been using carbon fiber for race car dashboards, wings, splitters, and rear diffusers. It's actually very easy to use, cut, drill etc. Modern adhesives will hold it together up to 5g's, from my experience. You have to use a respirator NOT a cheap particle filter if you value your lungs. I always did my work outdoors with a respirator and arm length gloves.
Do remember it conducts electricity VERY well!
Do remember it conducts electricity VERY well!
Wow amazon is A LOT cheaper. So at what point is it not machinable? I wanted to make a few holes and I know at a certain point CF can become extremely difficult to use regular tools on
Not at all, normal drill bits as used for metal, cut off discs (thin) to cut/shape. Saw blades will shatter or cause internal cracks (not good).
Just remember that carbon fiber is very sharp, so when you cut/drill/shape, those are tiny razor sharp particles. Use every precaution, I have a fan that blows on the work area, my shop vac hose connected to power tools and the BEST respirator I could find.
Once you have the material to the size/shape desired, then it's just the use of adhesives and all the issues with mixing and using them.
If your looking for the shiney "carbon fiber look" get the polished sheet, it's a very thin sheet more of a finisher than structural.
Just remember that carbon fiber is very sharp, so when you cut/drill/shape, those are tiny razor sharp particles. Use every precaution, I have a fan that blows on the work area, my shop vac hose connected to power tools and the BEST respirator I could find.
Once you have the material to the size/shape desired, then it's just the use of adhesives and all the issues with mixing and using them.
If your looking for the shiney "carbon fiber look" get the polished sheet, it's a very thin sheet more of a finisher than structural.