Speaking of carbon fiber tubes, how much do you know about composites? Carbon fiber tubes are usually produced in round, square or rectangular shapes, but they can be made into almost any shape, including oval or oval, octagonal , hexagonal or custom shapes. Roll-packed prepreg carbon fiber tubes consist of multiple wraps of twill and/or unidirectional carbon fiber fabrics. Convoluted tubing is suitable for applications requiring high bending stiffness and low weight.
Alternatively, braided carbon fiber tubes are made from a combination of carbon fiber braid and unidirectional carbon fiber fabric. Braided tubing has excellent torsional properties and compressive strength, making it ideal for high torque applications. Large diameter carbon fiber tubes are typically constructed using rolled bi-directional braided carbon fiber. By combining the right fibers, fiber orientation and manufacturing process, carbon fiber tubes can be made with the right properties for any application.
Other characteristics that can vary by application include:
1. Materials – Tubes can be made from standard, medium, high or ultra-high modulus carbon fiber.
2. Diameter – The diameter of the carbon fiber tube can be very small or very large. Custom ID and OD specifications are available to meet specific needs. They are available in decimal and metric sizes.
3. Tapering – The carbon fiber tube can be tapered to become progressively stiffer along its length.
4. Wall Thickness – By combining various thicknesses of prepreg, carbon fiber tubes can be made into almost any wall thickness.
5. Lengths – Coiled carbon fiber tubes are available in several standard lengths and can also be manufactured in custom lengths. If the required tube length is longer than recommended, multiple tubes can be joined with internal fittings to create longer tubes.
6. Exterior and sometimes interior finishes – Prepreg carbon fiber tubes typically have a cello-wrapped glossy finish, but smooth, matte finishes are also available. Braided carbon fiber tubes usually have a wet look. They can also be cello wrapped for a smoother finish, or a peel layer texture can be added for better bonding. The large diameter carbon fiber tubes are textured on the inside and outside to allow bonding or painting of both surfaces.
- Exterior material – Different exterior layers are available with prepreg carbon fiber tubes. In some cases, this also allows customers to choose an exterior color.
In addition to the carbon fiber tube knowledge we have talked about above, there is also a certain understanding of carbon fiber tube applications. Any application where weight is critical, switching to carbon fiber will be beneficial. Here are some of the most common uses for carbon fiber tubes:
Aero spar and spars, arrow shafts, bike tubes, kayak paddles, drone shafts
Manufacturing carbon fiber tube hollow composite structures can be difficult to manufacture. This is because pressure needs to be applied to the inside and outside of the laminate. Typically, carbon fiber tubes with a continuous profile are manufactured by pultrusion or filament winding.
Post time: Mar-25-2022