Big Brother Posted October 13, 2001 Share Posted October 13, 2001 Probably a stupid question but... Why is carbon fibre so expensive, compared to fibreglass. Is it to do with the raw materials or the construction process? Also what is carbon fibre made from and how is it made? Steve cool.gifScream...if you want to go faster!!!id=limegreen> cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julians Posted October 13, 2001 Share Posted October 13, 2001 I suspect its made from fibres of carbon ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted October 13, 2001 Author Share Posted October 13, 2001 I suspect its made from fibres of carbon ;-) As I pressed the "post" button, some where, deep down in my heart of hearts...I knew someone was going to say that smile.gif Steve cool.gifScream...if you want to go faster!!!id=limegreen> cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted October 13, 2001 Share Posted October 13, 2001 Steve, Its much more labour intensive as it uses a precision cut material instead of gelcoat for the finished surface - A GRP front wing can be laid up in 10 minutes. A carbon wing takes 2 hours. The raw materials cost £45 per sq metre, per 0.2mm thickness (i.e. a wing uses about 5 layers) It requires an Autoclave to pressure cure which often costs in excess of £500,000 capital The tooling should also be made of carbon and uses around 100 layers (read big cost!) The trimming is more labour intensive as many parts are double sided. Nobody is making big margins except perhaps those who market the finished product. Fat Arn The NOW PROVEN R500 Eaterid=red> See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website hereid=green> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted October 13, 2001 Share Posted October 13, 2001 I need that sock! Edited by - Fat Arnie on 13 Oct 2001 20:58:08 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted October 14, 2001 Share Posted October 14, 2001 Plus its still seen as an added value product . dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted October 14, 2001 Share Posted October 14, 2001 It must be the ultimate black wings though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted October 14, 2001 Share Posted October 14, 2001 Black wings, Brown wings - I've got em all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted October 14, 2001 Share Posted October 14, 2001 Sorry about that - just got back from a stag weekend & I'm not back in normal mode yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted October 14, 2001 Author Share Posted October 14, 2001 Nigel, You read my mind!!! Maybe I need to speak to Chris Clark about "proper" carbon wingssmile.gif Steve cool.gifScream...if you want to go faster!!!id=limegreen> cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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