Here’s What You Didn’t Know About Carbon Fiber
Whether you’re a carbon fiber novice or you’re very familiar with the material, here are a few facts you might not know about carbon fiber:
- Carbon fiber is also referred to as graphite fiber. This strong, stiff material is a substitute for steel, with every bit of the strength but at 70% of the weight.
- Before they are woven together, carbon fiber strands are 5 to 10 micrometers in diameter. That’s only one millionth of a meter thick!
- Does carbon fiber melt? Carbon fiber sublimes, but it has to reach a temperature of 3,567° F! However, it does begin to burn at under 1,000° F and it has a boiling point of 4,200° F!
- Carbon fiber use in manufacturing is growing. It’s not just for race cars and airplanes. Products ranging from toilet seats to flasks can be found on the internet.
- Carbon fiber comes in a variety of patterns! Bet you thought you’d never have to choose which carbon fiber material had the right “look” for your project!
- It’s old news! While the modern world is expanding the use of carbon fiber, it’s been around since the Civil War. Though it’s changed since its creation in 1860, carbon fiber’s strength to weight ratio was perfected in the last 50 years. Carbon fiber continues to evolve with modern technological advances.
- We think of lightweight manufacturing and we think of aluminum. But did you know carbon fiber is 40% lighter than aluminum and has a tensile strength of approximately 3.8 times that of aluminum?
- Carbon fiber is constantly evolving. As the costs of producing carbon fiber begin to decrease, its use in environmental tools such as wind turbines and blades is being developed.
These are just a few interesting facts about carbon fiber and its use in the ever-changing world of manufacturing. Contact Carbon Fiber Support for more information regarding carbon fiber products for your project!