The extremely versatile material is perfect for high-performance applications and hence it is used a lot in the automotive industry, as well as many other high-performing industries. When compared to its weight, you will find that Carbon Fiber Fabrication is high in strength as well as stiffness, making it a must in most manufacturing industries. If you have some knowledge about the engineering side of things, you will know how crucial carbon fiber composites can be.
Birth of Carbon Fiber Fabrication
Carbon fiber Prepreg Composites are used in high-end automobiles like racing cars and sports cars. The material is also used in the aerospace industry because of its lightweight aspect but strong tensile strength. The number of applications it is being used for increases with the rise of modern technology.
If you thought that this is material that has just come into existence, you are far from the truth. The material existed at least 150 years back though it is now being utilized in its various avatars. Do understand that at that time, it looked quite a bit different than it does now. Carbon filament was first used by Thomas Edison to design the first incandescent light bulb. After some time, the material was more or less replaced by tungsten wire and it became almost obsolete for many decades. But it did come back and how.
A lot can be attributed to Union Carbide which was trying to bring back the material for ages but was unsuccessful till the 1970s. It was during this time that it underwent massive changes which led to its development. During this time, engineers from various manufacturing industries delved into carbon fiber fabrication and all that it brought to the table. And now, it is one of the most important modern-age materials to know about.
Traditional Ways Carbon Fiber Is Used
- Aerospace
This was one of the first industries that started using carbon fiber quite a bit in the last decade of the previous century. It replaced titanium and aluminum in some types of components for many of its parts. The superior strength it had in comparison to its weight happens to be the No. 1 reason why it is preferred over other materials.
- Military
The US Navy started using the material quite a bit. Incandescent light bulbs were preferred because they did not react to the vibrations that were normal when ships sailed. When stronger fibers were made using the material, the usage capacity too increased.
- Sports Goods
The high strength of the material in carbon fiber fabrication process helps many sporting goods companies produce skis, tennis rackets, and golf clubs.
- Automotive Industry
Thick carbon fiber sheets are a big part of the modern automotive industry. It has been used in automobile production and is a common fixture in industries manufacturing high-end cars and vehicles. NASCAR and Formula 1 vehicles used this material because its weight was such that made cars go faster. Its high-end look also makes it preferable in this industry. As steps are taken to bring down the cost, the material is likely to be used for the production of mass-produced cars and vehicles as well. It is the future of the modern automotive industry.
- Pharmaceutical Industry
Since carbon fiber material shows up as transparent in X-Ray imaging, its usage has increased in the medical industry. It is also used in prosthetic limbs because it is lightweight and strong.
Making Car Parts with Carbon Fiber Components
There is a chemical as well as mechanical part involved in the process. In it, long strands of fiber are used and heated to extremely high temperatures. During carbon fiber fabrication, there is no contact with oxygen, which leads to carbonization. This way, most of the non-carbon elements that were present get expelled. This is how carbon fiber gets formed.
People will wonder whether CNC carbon fiber causes their cars to run faster. The main reason why this is the material of choice for high-end fast cars is that it is lightweight yet highly strong. In fact, the material has the highest stiffness and strength per density of any material and that includes metal.
With cars built to run faster, every pound of weight shed increases acceleration and speed. That is why this is the material that is preferred over others. It gives high-end car manufacturers the chance to keep the weight of the cars low. For instance, think about it this way: a car manufacturer produces a car with normal car body parts. The same car with the same engine and design gets manufactured too but while using carbon fiber components. The result is that the second car is going to run faster, smoother, and have higher acceleration.
Lightweight Materials a Must in the Automotive Industry
As the automotive industry scales new heights every year, and manufacturers bring out more modern vehicles to suit the needs and aspirations of the public, there is a requirement for stronger and more lightweight materials than what was previously used. If you are wondering whether using this material for cars is a good idea and how safe the end product will be, you have nothing to worry about.
Car manufacturers have been testing this material for ages and found it to be a much stronger material than steel. It can withstand the extreme pressure that cars have to deal with on the racing track. Studies say that the material is also able to improve fuel efficiency.
Ultimately, for material to be used in such a massive way means that it has some great characteristics. If you have the responsibility of buying components made using this material, care should be taken to choose a quality manufacturer for the same. There are many carbon fiber fabrication processes that the manufacturing of carbon composites follows, and it mostly depends on the application it is being meant for. So choose likewise for your manufacturing unit.
