What exactly does the engineer choose?
When requesting carbon fabric, it is important to distinguish between appearance, reinforcement structure and future performance of the part. Weaving affects the layability and behavior of the fabric during molding, but does not replace the calculation of the direction of the layers and the entire structure.
Density, width, fiber type, surface condition and delivery format are item specific. The Technical Center helps to create a list of parameters; values are confirmed on the card or in the commercial response.
The preview does not publish unverified strength, modulus, temperature, tolerance, or versatility of a particular fabric.
Reinforcement structures
| Group | What to clarify | When to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Woven carbon | Weave, density, width, drape | When bi-directional web operation and controlled laying are required |
| Unidirectional | Main grain direction, width, layer pattern | When the main load is known and needs to be taken into account in the layout |
| Multiaxial | Set of directions, firmware, process compatibility | When a design requires multiple specified reinforcement directions |
| Hybrid | Fiber composition, proportion and location of components | When the properties of different reinforcing fibers are combined consciously, and not decoratively |
Five terms that should not be mixed
| Term | Simple explanation | Why is this important |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber | Initial reinforcement component | Its properties cannot be directly attributed to the finished part |
| Tourniquet | Bunch of many fibers. The designations 3K, 6K and 12K refer specifically to it | The size of the bundle does not replace the description of the entire fabric |
| Fabric | Fabric of interwoven or oriented strands | You need to select weave, density, width and direction |
| Binder | System that connects reinforcement after molding | It affects the process and properties of the resulting composite |
| Laminate | Cured package of reinforcement layers with binder | It is its structure, together with geometry, that works in the part |
For the novice user, it is useful to first decide whether you need the material to mold yourself or a finished product form. If the plan is to lay layers in a tooling, the fabric, binder and process are discussed. If you need a flat part that remains to be cut, you often consider a finished sheet.
A surface pattern helps describe the appearance, but does not prove the direction of all internal layers. For a power component, the package structure and verification criteria must be separately agreed upon.
Carbon fabric selection algorithm
First, record the function of the part and the conditions under which it operates. Then generate the input data in the following order:
- geometry, dimensions and zones of section change;
- direction, nature and repeatability of the load;
- molding method and selected binder;
- requirements for surface and acceptable patterns;
- delivery format, cutting width and quantity;
- criteria for control of the finished part.
If a layer map has not yet been developed, this should be explicitly stated in the request. Then the discussion is not about replacing one article with another, but about the engineering route from a problem to a sample or calculation.
Where applicable
Carbon fabrics are being considered for shells, panels, reinforcements and other composite parts where the direction of reinforcement can be matched to the design. Specific applicability depends on the binder, installation, package thickness, technology and operation.
For a finished flat part it is often more rational to go to a carbon sheet, and for a long element of constant cross-section to a tube or rod. Compare not the names of materials, but the entire manufacturing route.
What a meaningful request looks like
Instead of the phrase “we need durable carbon fabric”, you can write: “we are making a shell of such and such geometry; support zones and main load directions are known; molding is planned using the chosen method; surface and repeatability are important; it is necessary to agree on the type of fabric, width, quantity and set of documents.” If there is no calculation or layer map yet, this is also indicated.
Such a request does not oblige the customer to know the grade of the material in advance. It gives the specialist context, allows him to separate mandatory requirements from preferences and see in advance what data remains to be obtained by experiment or calculation.
The product card confirms the parameters of a specific item. The article explains the logic of choice and does not replace the batch passport, technical sheet or agreed specification.
Selection errors
- select fabric only according to the weaving pattern;
- transfer the properties of the fiber to the finished part without taking into account the binder and installation;
- consider higher density an automatic advantage;
- do not take into account radii, cuts, overlaps and cutting direction;
- coordinate the material separately from the molding and inspection technology.
Frequently asked questions
How is carbon fabric different from finished carbon sheet?
Carbon fabric - reinforcement for the subsequent formation of a composite. A sheet is an already manufactured semi-finished product/product, which is selected according to format, thickness, surface and subsequent processing.
Is it possible to select fabric by weight only?
No. Density is considered together with structure, width, load direction, layer pattern, binder and technology.
Is twill always better than plain weave?
No. The type of weaving is assessed by layability, web stability, geometry and surface requirements. There is no universal winner.
What do 3K, 6K and 12K mean?
These are strand size designations, but the number itself does not describe the entire fabric and does not determine the result of the piece without density, structure, fiber and technology.
Is it possible to order fabric cutting?
Possibility, format and cutting requirements must be confirmed through an application with width, contour, quantity and packaging requirements.
What files should I attach to my request?
For a flat contour, DXF is useful; for a part or tooling, a suitable model/drawing is useful. Purpose, quantity and technological limitations are also needed.