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Boring primarily creates cavities in your workpiece or broadens pre-existing holes. Boring lathe machines feature a robust tool that is gradually driven through your workpiece to eliminate unwanted parts. If you are using a boring lathe to widen a pre-existing cavity, make certain that your boring tool is larger than the specified hole.

See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

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Within each of these formats are sub-categories of further refinement. For example, different carbon fiber weaves can result in different properties in the composite part.What Material is Carbon Fiber?Carbon fiber is a material made from thin filaments of carbon atoms bonded together in a crystalline structure, which results in an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. The manufacture of carbon fiber material involves several complex steps that transform carbon-rich precursors into spools of fibers.Most carbon fibers are produced using polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pitch, or rayon as the precursor. The selected precursor material is first spun to create long fibers. The raw fibers are then heated in an oxygen-free environment in a process called stabilization to prevent them from burning or shrinking. After stabilization, the fibers are carbonized at a very high temperature of around 1000 - 3000 degrees Celsius in an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen. This drives out almost all non-carbon elements from the fibers leaving behind almost pure carbon atoms in a crystalline structure. Finally, the fibers receive a surface treatment to enhance their adhesion to matrix materials and then wound onto spools.Creating Carbon Fiber CompositesTo create a composite part, the carbon fibers, which are stiff in tension and compression, need to be supported in a stable matrix to maintain the part shape. Epoxy resin is an excellent plastic with good physical properties and is often used for this matrix, with carbon fibers providing strength.Since both epoxy and carbon fiber are low-density, one can create a part that is lightweight, but very strong. When fabricating a composite part, a multitude of different processes can be utilized, including wet-layup, vacuum bagging, resin transfer, matched tooling, insert molding, pultrusion, and many other methods. In addition, the selection of the resin allows for tailoring specific properties such as elevated temperature or chemical resistance.Carbon fibers reinforcing a stable matrix of epoxyProperties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Although shutting down your lathe machine is as simple as pressing a switch, you must adhere to the specified shutdown protocols. This guarantees your safety and that of your equipment. Here is the appropriate shutdown process.

Once your lathe machine roars into action, it is paramount that you pay close attention to the operations of its distinct components.

Carbonfibrereinforcedpolymer structure

Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

This is a lathe machine specifically designed to achieve faster production times by hastening the cutting operation. They boast of exceptional spindle speeds and a typical speed lathe can achieve spindle speeds as high as 3600 RPM. This type of lathe machine may suit you perfectly if you are looking to light-cut, debur, or polish your workpieces.

Most lathe spindles are manufactured from alloy steel, which is treated to tolerate high heat. It is connected to the headstock with the help of bearings and you can easily adjust its rotating speed.

Properties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

This is a wheel designed to be operated by hand and you can find it on your lathe’s carriage. Thanks to this component, you can adjust the positioning or movement of essential components like carriage and tailstock.

Knurling requires you to have a lathe machine with a specialized wheel equipped with teethed knurls to generate textured workpieces. This machining operation is primarily designed to elevate the gripping effect of your workpiece. You can imprint various patterns on your workpiece including diamond patterns, which can feature on a designated part of your object.

With a myriad of distinctively endowed lathes available today, it is important that you comprehend the features that distinguish high-level lathes. They include;

Lathe machines have been in existence for ages and their invention dates back to the 1300s. Over the centuries, these machines have undergone some significant changes resulting in advanced devices like the CNC lathe.

The bull gear is a component featured on the headstock and it is designed to elevate the torque of your lathe machine. This consequently allows your lathe to accommodate heavy cutting or turning. The bull gear however shrinks the spindle speed of your lathe machine.

The center is a supplemental component designed to provide surplus support to your respective workpieces. This support ensures that your objects are less prone to breakages or bending. They come in two distinct types;

When designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

It is primarily tasked with controlling the movement of your machine’s cutting tool on your workpiece. This component comes fitted with the following sub-components;

Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Carbon fiber reinforced plasticsheet

Higher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

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Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

The lead screw is the elongated threaded pole that moves your lathe machine’s carriage over the bed during essential operations like thread cutting.

Carbon fiber reinforcedpolymer price per kg

Do not forget to also check on your workpiece frequently to avoid damaging it. Some of the necessary checks you should complete include;

This component is known as the bed due to the significant role it plays. It provides a rigid base that supports the supplemental components of your lathe machine.

A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Carbon fiber reinforcedpolymer PDF

As the name suggests, this cutting operation leaves you with two or more workpieces after alienating them at a specified point during machining. Lathe machines specialized to serve this function often come with a part catcher, which is tasked with collecting the alienated piece.

The engine lathe machine is broadly exploited across multiple manufacturing processes due to its impressive automation profile. It comes with automated components, which facilitate the automated and precise loading of your workpieces onto the lathe as well as the positioning of the cutting tool. Engine lathes are often utilized in machining, threading, and turning operations.

Steel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Drilling is a cutting operation accomplished by specialized centre lathe machines equipped with drill bits. This leaves your workpiece with holes or cuts that match the diameter and design of the attached drill bit. Lathe machines specialized to undertake drilling feature a distinct tool holder or a specialized tailstock, from where you can mount your drill bit.

Plain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

The stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

As such, it is designed to be stiff, strong, and non-frictional. Your lathe machine may come with one of the following guideways;

When utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

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This is the component that holds the loose end of your workpiece and you can adjust its positioning on the bed to accommodate varied sizes of workpieces. The tailstock serves numerous functions;

Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

As the object rotates, it is subjected to a controlled cutting tool, which rips off unwanted chips from your object. Turning may take either of the following forms;

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Turning is the primary reason lathe machines were created. This simple yet indispensable process is accomplished once you attach your piece or workpiece to a rotating axis.

Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Cutting, threading, and facing are just some of the most renowned operations actualized by a lathe machine. These operations are essential in the manufacturing of numerous wooden, glass, or metallic pieces hence lathes find great usage in the following fields:

Machines can be quite dangerous if inappropriately handled or operated and your lathe machine is no different. Here are the main safety guidelines you should adhere to.

The properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Setting up your lathe machine and getting it up and running is not as simple as powering on a switch. It necessitates a particular set of skills and precautions. Here are some instructions for you to follow to optimize the performance of your lathe.

Lathe is engineered to accomplish a myriad of cutting operations with utmost precision. While this may seem like a simple task, it is actually the opposite and it requires numerous high-level components.

Most carbon fibers are produced using polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pitch, or rayon as the precursor. The selected precursor material is first spun to create long fibers. The raw fibers are then heated in an oxygen-free environment in a process called stabilization to prevent them from burning or shrinking. After stabilization, the fibers are carbonized at a very high temperature of around 1000 - 3000 degrees Celsius in an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen. This drives out almost all non-carbon elements from the fibers leaving behind almost pure carbon atoms in a crystalline structure. Finally, the fibers receive a surface treatment to enhance their adhesion to matrix materials and then wound onto spools.Creating Carbon Fiber CompositesTo create a composite part, the carbon fibers, which are stiff in tension and compression, need to be supported in a stable matrix to maintain the part shape. Epoxy resin is an excellent plastic with good physical properties and is often used for this matrix, with carbon fibers providing strength.Since both epoxy and carbon fiber are low-density, one can create a part that is lightweight, but very strong. When fabricating a composite part, a multitude of different processes can be utilized, including wet-layup, vacuum bagging, resin transfer, matched tooling, insert molding, pultrusion, and many other methods. In addition, the selection of the resin allows for tailoring specific properties such as elevated temperature or chemical resistance.Carbon fibers reinforcing a stable matrix of epoxyProperties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

The CNC lathe machine is highly specialized thanks to the inclusion of computer programming, making it one of the most accurate lathe machines. This computerization means you can utilize the CNC lathe for countering, tapering, threading, and facing among other cutting operations.

Properties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

The feed shaft is a unique component that is typically made from alloy steel and is fitted just beneath your lead screw. It simply determines how fast or slow your lathe’s cutting tool handles your workpiece.

All zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Carbon fiber reinforced plasticproperties

Since both epoxy and carbon fiber are low-density, one can create a part that is lightweight, but very strong. When fabricating a composite part, a multitude of different processes can be utilized, including wet-layup, vacuum bagging, resin transfer, matched tooling, insert molding, pultrusion, and many other methods. In addition, the selection of the resin allows for tailoring specific properties such as elevated temperature or chemical resistance.Carbon fibers reinforcing a stable matrix of epoxyProperties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Lathe machines continue to grow in prominence and this is primarily driven by their versatility. They are not your average cutting tools since they can adequately fulfill other numerous functions including;

If you are looking for highly efficient lathe machines at affordable prices, Tsinfa CNC Equipment is your trusted partner.

Carbon fiber is made in black strands or yarns called "Tows" and comes in a variety of formats, including spools of tow, unidirectional formats, weaves, braids, and others, which are used to create carbon fiber composite parts.Within each of these formats are sub-categories of further refinement. For example, different carbon fiber weaves can result in different properties in the composite part.What Material is Carbon Fiber?Carbon fiber is a material made from thin filaments of carbon atoms bonded together in a crystalline structure, which results in an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. The manufacture of carbon fiber material involves several complex steps that transform carbon-rich precursors into spools of fibers.Most carbon fibers are produced using polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pitch, or rayon as the precursor. The selected precursor material is first spun to create long fibers. The raw fibers are then heated in an oxygen-free environment in a process called stabilization to prevent them from burning or shrinking. After stabilization, the fibers are carbonized at a very high temperature of around 1000 - 3000 degrees Celsius in an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen. This drives out almost all non-carbon elements from the fibers leaving behind almost pure carbon atoms in a crystalline structure. Finally, the fibers receive a surface treatment to enhance their adhesion to matrix materials and then wound onto spools.Creating Carbon Fiber CompositesTo create a composite part, the carbon fibers, which are stiff in tension and compression, need to be supported in a stable matrix to maintain the part shape. Epoxy resin is an excellent plastic with good physical properties and is often used for this matrix, with carbon fibers providing strength.Since both epoxy and carbon fiber are low-density, one can create a part that is lightweight, but very strong. When fabricating a composite part, a multitude of different processes can be utilized, including wet-layup, vacuum bagging, resin transfer, matched tooling, insert molding, pultrusion, and many other methods. In addition, the selection of the resin allows for tailoring specific properties such as elevated temperature or chemical resistance.Carbon fibers reinforcing a stable matrix of epoxyProperties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Threading is a unique cutting process that sees your lathe’s cutting tool maneuverer precisely cut through the sides of your workpiece to generate threads. This operation relies on specialized cutting tools and it can leave your workpiece with external or internal threads. If you desire deeper threads, you may have to subject your workpiece through multiple threading operations.

Carbon fibers reinforcing a stable matrix of epoxyProperties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTER

Grooving generates processed objects with narrow channels on their perimeter. The shape and design of the groove on your workpiece may be customized by incorporating unique cutting tool shapes. Common groove shapes attained during this operation include rectangular and U-shaped grooves.

This is simply the collection tray that picks up the unwanted parts cut out from your workpiece. This tray plays a pivotal role in collecting this debris since uncontrolled accumulation may lead to damage.

The toolroom lathe is specialized to provide machine shop owners and toolroom operators with a dependable cutting and shaping solution. Owing to their expected applications, they are manufactured from robust materials and they can attain extremely high spindle speeds. As such, they are prominently used to manufacture precision parts like medical equipment and prototypes.

Carbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Reaming is a unique cutting operation that does not necessarily involve cutting. It is essentially designed to broaden cavities that were drilled into your workpiece earlier. As such lathe machines specialized for reaming operations come equipped with reamers that are characteristically larger than the preinstalled hole.

Carbon fiber reinforced plasticuses

The spindle is simply an integrated shaft held by your machine’s headstock and it is typically tasked with clasping your workpiece in position and rotating it.

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The chuck is a simple yet pivotal component revered for clasping firmly your workpiece. It comes with adjustable clippers that hold your respective objects firmly and strategically. Your lathe machine may feature the following kinds of chucks;

Carbon fiber is a material consisting of thin, strong crystalline filaments of carbon, essentially carbon atoms bonded together in long chains. The fibers are extremely stiff, strong, and light, and are used in many processes to create excellent structural materials. Carbon fiber offers a variety of benefits including:High stiffness and stiffness-to-weight ratioHigh tensile strength and strength-to-weight ratioHigh-temperature tolerance with special resinsLow thermal expansionHigh chemical resistance

A composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

This is essential as it ensures you get the desired cutting or shaping results while optimizing the operation of your lathe machine. To adjust spindle speed, adhere to the underlying instructions;

Carbon fiber reinforcedpolymer cost

A lathe machine is a multifaceted apparatus that subjects your workpiece to a revolving cutting tool that extracts unwanted chips from it. It comes with a horizontal axis fitted with a trimming object that trims your workpiece.

What Does Carbon Fiber Look Like?Carbon fiber is made in black strands or yarns called "Tows" and comes in a variety of formats, including spools of tow, unidirectional formats, weaves, braids, and others, which are used to create carbon fiber composite parts.Within each of these formats are sub-categories of further refinement. For example, different carbon fiber weaves can result in different properties in the composite part.What Material is Carbon Fiber?Carbon fiber is a material made from thin filaments of carbon atoms bonded together in a crystalline structure, which results in an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. The manufacture of carbon fiber material involves several complex steps that transform carbon-rich precursors into spools of fibers.Most carbon fibers are produced using polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pitch, or rayon as the precursor. The selected precursor material is first spun to create long fibers. The raw fibers are then heated in an oxygen-free environment in a process called stabilization to prevent them from burning or shrinking. After stabilization, the fibers are carbonized at a very high temperature of around 1000 - 3000 degrees Celsius in an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen. This drives out almost all non-carbon elements from the fibers leaving behind almost pure carbon atoms in a crystalline structure. Finally, the fibers receive a surface treatment to enhance their adhesion to matrix materials and then wound onto spools.Creating Carbon Fiber CompositesTo create a composite part, the carbon fibers, which are stiff in tension and compression, need to be supported in a stable matrix to maintain the part shape. Epoxy resin is an excellent plastic with good physical properties and is often used for this matrix, with carbon fibers providing strength.Since both epoxy and carbon fiber are low-density, one can create a part that is lightweight, but very strong. When fabricating a composite part, a multitude of different processes can be utilized, including wet-layup, vacuum bagging, resin transfer, matched tooling, insert molding, pultrusion, and many other methods. In addition, the selection of the resin allows for tailoring specific properties such as elevated temperature or chemical resistance.Carbon fibers reinforcing a stable matrix of epoxyProperties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Referring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

To create a composite part, the carbon fibers, which are stiff in tension and compression, need to be supported in a stable matrix to maintain the part shape. Epoxy resin is an excellent plastic with good physical properties and is often used for this matrix, with carbon fibers providing strength.Since both epoxy and carbon fiber are low-density, one can create a part that is lightweight, but very strong. When fabricating a composite part, a multitude of different processes can be utilized, including wet-layup, vacuum bagging, resin transfer, matched tooling, insert molding, pultrusion, and many other methods. In addition, the selection of the resin allows for tailoring specific properties such as elevated temperature or chemical resistance.Carbon fibers reinforcing a stable matrix of epoxyProperties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

The cutting tool is a sharp object that carries out the actual shaping or trimming process. This component cuts through your workpiece while precisely cutting out unwanted parts.

You will find the headstock on the left end of your lathe machine’s bed.This component is generally made from iron and is responsible for holding your spindles, motors, and gears. It can also feature a taper, which serves the purpose of clasping essential tools like drill bits.

The faceplate is typically circular and large, just like a plate and it is designed to widen the holding area for irregularly shaped workpieces. A faceplate allows you to securely clasp your workpieces in scenarios where the chuck is unable to provide sufficient support.

Within each of these formats are sub-categories of further refinement. For example, different carbon fiber weaves can result in different properties in the composite part.What Material is Carbon Fiber?Carbon fiber is a material made from thin filaments of carbon atoms bonded together in a crystalline structure, which results in an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. The manufacture of carbon fiber material involves several complex steps that transform carbon-rich precursors into spools of fibers.Most carbon fibers are produced using polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pitch, or rayon as the precursor. The selected precursor material is first spun to create long fibers. The raw fibers are then heated in an oxygen-free environment in a process called stabilization to prevent them from burning or shrinking. After stabilization, the fibers are carbonized at a very high temperature of around 1000 - 3000 degrees Celsius in an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen. This drives out almost all non-carbon elements from the fibers leaving behind almost pure carbon atoms in a crystalline structure. Finally, the fibers receive a surface treatment to enhance their adhesion to matrix materials and then wound onto spools.Creating Carbon Fiber CompositesTo create a composite part, the carbon fibers, which are stiff in tension and compression, need to be supported in a stable matrix to maintain the part shape. Epoxy resin is an excellent plastic with good physical properties and is often used for this matrix, with carbon fibers providing strength.Since both epoxy and carbon fiber are low-density, one can create a part that is lightweight, but very strong. When fabricating a composite part, a multitude of different processes can be utilized, including wet-layup, vacuum bagging, resin transfer, matched tooling, insert molding, pultrusion, and many other methods. In addition, the selection of the resin allows for tailoring specific properties such as elevated temperature or chemical resistance.Carbon fibers reinforcing a stable matrix of epoxyProperties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

High toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Lathe machines have over the years proven their worth to diverse manufacturing processes. And owing to the unique demands of distinct manufacturing processes, today, we are endowed with a plethora of different lathe machines. The most common lathe machine types include;

After you have set up your lathe machine and appropriately set your spindle speed, it is time to let your lathe do the actual machining. This may include turning, drilling, or cutting among others. Here are a few instructions you will need to follow.

Carbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

First, ensure you have observed the appropriate safety measures. This may include putting on the requisite protective gear. Then proceed to;

The bench lathe is a small-size cutting and shaping equipment designed for small-scale production like jewelry making and model making. It can comfortably fit on an averagely-sized table hence the name bench lathe.

This advanced machine can serve a myriad of cutting operations thanks to the inclusion of multiple cutting gadgets. These gadgets are aggregated in hexagonal turrets. As such, you are not necessitated to change your lathe’s cutting tool mid-operation. You can operate the turret automatically with the aid of computers, manually, or using hydraulic mechanisms.

Tapping is principally designed to make internal threads on your workpiece. For instance, to generate internal threads on a nut, your lathe machine will drive a tapping tool through the pre-drilled hole in your nut. This tapping tool will then cut through the insides of your workpiece to create a functional nut.

FEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Carbon fiber is a material made from thin filaments of carbon atoms bonded together in a crystalline structure, which results in an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. The manufacture of carbon fiber material involves several complex steps that transform carbon-rich precursors into spools of fibers.Most carbon fibers are produced using polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pitch, or rayon as the precursor. The selected precursor material is first spun to create long fibers. The raw fibers are then heated in an oxygen-free environment in a process called stabilization to prevent them from burning or shrinking. After stabilization, the fibers are carbonized at a very high temperature of around 1000 - 3000 degrees Celsius in an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen. This drives out almost all non-carbon elements from the fibers leaving behind almost pure carbon atoms in a crystalline structure. Finally, the fibers receive a surface treatment to enhance their adhesion to matrix materials and then wound onto spools.Creating Carbon Fiber CompositesTo create a composite part, the carbon fibers, which are stiff in tension and compression, need to be supported in a stable matrix to maintain the part shape. Epoxy resin is an excellent plastic with good physical properties and is often used for this matrix, with carbon fibers providing strength.Since both epoxy and carbon fiber are low-density, one can create a part that is lightweight, but very strong. When fabricating a composite part, a multitude of different processes can be utilized, including wet-layup, vacuum bagging, resin transfer, matched tooling, insert molding, pultrusion, and many other methods. In addition, the selection of the resin allows for tailoring specific properties such as elevated temperature or chemical resistance.Carbon fibers reinforcing a stable matrix of epoxyProperties of Carbon FiberCarbon fiber is extremely stiff, strong, and light. It is typical in engineering to compare the properties of materials in terms of their strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio, particularly in structural design, where added weight may translate into increased lifecycle costs or unsatisfactory performance.Modulus of Elasticity and Tensile Strength of Carbon FiberThe stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

CFRP vscarbon fiber

The stiffness of a material is measured by its modulus of elasticity. This is very similar to Spring Rate, a metric used to describe the stiffness of springs. It is calculated by dividing the change in stress by the change in strain. The modulus of carbon fiber is typically 33 msi (228 Gpa) and its ultimate tensile strength is typically 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa).Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite PartsThe stiffness and strength along any specific axis in a carbon fiber composite part depend not only on fiber and resin mechanical properties, but also on fiber placement and orientation, and fiber/resin ratio (typically approx. 50/50 ratio). A typical value for the stiffness of a carbon fiber composite plate would be 10 msi, and its strength would be 90 ksi.Stiffness-To-Weight RatioPlain-weave carbon fiber reinforced laminate has an elastic modulus of approximately 8 msi and a volumetric density of about 0.05 lbs./in3. The stiffness-to-weight for this material is 160 x 106. By comparison, the density of aluminum is 0.10 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106. The density of 4130 steel is 0.30 lbs./in3, which yields a stiffness to weight of 100 x 106.See table belowMaterialElastic ModulusVolumetric DensityStiffness-to-WeightPlain-Weave Carbon Fiber Composite8 msi0.05 lbs./in3160 x 10666061-T6 Aluminum10 msi0.10 lbs./in3100 x 106Steel30 msi0.30 lbs./in3100 x 106Hence even a basic plain-weave carbon fiber panel has a stiffness-to-weight ratio of 60% greater than aluminum or steel.Comparing Carbon Fiber to Aluminum and SteelCompare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Facing is a distinct operation that leaves you with a cylindrical workpiece featuring a smooth surface. This is achieved by setting the cutting tool to move along your object’s length while trimming off a thin layer of material. Facing typically cuts off a thin layer of material at one end of your workpiece.

Legs are literal stands tasked with securely and strategically supporting your lathe machine’s bed. They are typically manufactured using heavy-duty materials to withstand the heavy weight of your lathe. For a stronger foundation, you can bolt the legs of your lathe to the ground.

Automatic lathe machines are distinguished by their self-activating components which include programmable controls and automatic tool changers. This means that to get your automatic lathe running, you will require little or no human input. These types of lathes come in two distinct categories;

Troubleshooting your lathe machine is essential as it helps you determine likely issues in advance. Your lathe may be vulnerable to some of the following issues.

Compare the above with 2024-T3 Aluminum, which has a modulus of 10 msi and an ultimate tensile strength of 65 ksi, and 4130 Steel, which has a modulus of 30 msi and ultimate tensile strength of 125 ksi.Yield Strength in Carbon Fiber vs. SteelSteel will permanently deform at a stress level below its ultimate tensile strength. The stress level at which this occurs is called yield strength. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, will not permanently deform below its ultimate tensile strength, so it effectively has no yield strength.High Modulus Carbon FiberHigher-stiffness carbon fibers are available through specialized heat treatment processes. The utilization of prepreg, and high-modulus or ultra-high-modulus carbon fiber prepregs, yields substantially higher stiffness-to-weight ratios. For very demanding applications where maximum stiffness is required, 110 msi ultra-high modulus carbon fiber can be used. This specialized pitch-based carbon fiber has a bending stiffness over 3 times that of a standard modulus prepreg panel (about 25 msi). When one considers the possibility of customized carbon fiber panel stiffness through strategic laminate placement, a panel (or other cross-section, such as a carbon fiber tube) can be fabricated with bending stiffness on the order of 50 msi.Potential Performance of Carbon Fiber CompositesAll zero-degree oriented unidirectional ultra-high modulus coupon samples have tensile stiffness of more than 70 msi, or over twice the stiffness of steel, yet still only half the weight of aluminum. The stiffness-to-weight ratio of this material is then over 10 times that of either steel or aluminum. When one includes the potentially massive increases in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios possible when these materials are paired with  lightweight honeycomb and foam cores, the impact of advanced carbon fiber composites becomes obvious.What is a Carbon Fiber Composite Sandwich Structure?A composite sandwich combines the superior strength and stiffness properties of carbon fiber with a lower-density core material. In Dragonplate sandwich sheets, a thin carbon-fiber skin is laminated over a foam, honeycomb, balsa, or birch plywood core. By combining these materials, one can create a final product with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. For applications where weight is critical, carbon-fiber sandwich sheets may be the right fit.Composite Sandwich Stresses vs Stresses in an I-BeamA composite sandwich structure is similar to a homogeneous I-Beam construction in bending. Figure 1: Diagram showing carbon-fiber composite sandwich and equivalent I-BeamReferring to the picture of the sandwich structure, at the center of the beam (assuming symmetry) lies the neutral axis, which is where the internal axial stress equals zero.Moving from bottom to top in the diagram, the internal stresses switch from compressive to tensile. Bending stiffness is proportional to the cross-sectional moment of inertia, as well as the material modulus of elasticity.Thus, for maximum bending stiffness, one would place an extremely stiff material as far from the neutral axis as possible. By placing carbon fiber furthest from the neutral axis and filling the remaining volume with a lower-density material, the result is a composite sandwich material with a very high stiffness-to-weight ratio.Figure 2: Comparison of internal stress distribution for solid laminate and sandwich construction in bending.Analysis of Birch Plywood Core Laminate vs. a Solid Caron Fiber LayupFEA analyses comparing stress levels in a sandwich laminate vs solid carbon fiber are shown below. These calculations show the deflections of a cantilever beam with a load placed at the end. In the figure, 3/16" birch plywood core laminate is shown next to a solid carbon fiber layup of equal weight. Due to the reduced thickness of the solid carbon beam, it deflects significantly more than the equivalent beam made using a core material. As the thickness increases, this disparity becomes even greater due to the large weight savings from the core. Similarly, one can replace a solid carbon structure with a lighter one of equivalent strength and stiffness made from any of the core options previously mentioned.Figure 3: Finite element analysis comparison between Dragonplate sandwich laminate and solid carbon fiberStrengths and Weaknesses of the Various Carbon Fiber Sandwich CoresWhen utilizing the various cores, each one has strengths and weaknesses. Typically, the driving factors are compressive and shear strength of the core. For example, if high compressive strength (and hence high crush resistance) is required, then the core will most likely need to be of higher density (high-density foam or birch plywood are good options here). If, however, one needs the absolute lowest weight composite possible, and the stresses are relatively small (i.e., low load, high stiffness application), then an extremely lightweight foam or honeycomb core may be the best selection.Some cores offer better moisture resistance (closed-cell foam), some have better machinability (plywood), and others high compressive strength-to-weight ratio (balsa). It is up to the engineer to understand the tradeoffs during the design process to maximize the potential of cored composites.That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.

Your lathe’s guideway is the component tasked with controlling the motion of other essential components like the carriage and tailstock.

Due to the weight of these components, the bed is typically manufactured using robust materials like cast iron. Furthermore, it comes with guideways such as the V ground way, which align your tailstock and carriage.

That said, for weight-critical applications, there is often no other option that even comes close to the potential strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fiber sandwich core laminates.COMPARISON CRITERIAPRODUCTSStiffness to WeightToughnessCrushabilityMoisture ResistanceSound AbsorbencySolid Carbon FiberGOODBETTERBESTBESTPOORHigh Modulus Solid Carbon FiberBETTERGOODBETTERBESTPOORBirch CoreBETTERBESTBESTGOODPOORBalsa CoreBETTERGOODBETTERPOORGOODNomex Honeycomb CoreBESTGOODBETTERBETTERBESTDepron Foam CoreBETTERPOORPOORBETTERBETTERAirex Foam CoreBESTGOODGOODBETTERBETTERDivinycell Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODLast-A-Foam CoreBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERBETTERPros and Cons of Carbon Fiber CompositesCarbon fiber reinforced composites have several highly desirable traits that can be exploited in the design of advanced materials and components (for example, solid carbon sheets, carbon fiber sandwich laminates, carbon tubes, etc.). The two most common uses for carbon fiber are in applications where a high strength to weight and high stiffness to weight are desirable. These include aerospace, military structures, robotics, wind turbines, manufacturing fixtures, sports equipment, and many others.Pros:Strength-to-weight ratioStiffness-to-weight ratioElectrical conductivityThermal conductivityCarbon fiber will not plastically yieldUnique and beautiful surface finishHigh toughness can be accomplished when combined with other materials. Certain applications also exploit carbon fiber's electrical conductivity, as well as high thermal conductivity in the case of specialized carbon fiber.Cons:Once the ultimate strength is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically.Carbon fiber materials are significantly more expensive than traditional materialsWorking with carbon fiber requires a high skill level and specialized tooling to produce high-quality structural materialsCarbon fiber will not yield. Under load, carbon fiber bends but will not remain permanently deformed. Once the ultimate strength of the material is exceeded, carbon fiber will fail suddenly and catastrophically. In the design process, it is critical that the engineer understand and account for this behavior, particularly in terms of design safety factors.Carbon Fiber vs. MetalsWhen designing composite parts, one cannot simply compare the properties of carbon fiber versus steel, aluminum, or plastic, since these materials are in general homogeneous (properties are the same at all points in the part) and have isotropic properties throughout (properties are the same along all axes). By comparison, in a carbon fiber part, the strength resides along the axis of the fibers, and thus fiber properties and orientation greatly impact mechanical properties. Carbon fiber parts are in general neither homogeneous nor isotropic.Carbon Fiber Engineering for Custom ApplicationsThe properties of a carbon fiber part are close to that of steel and the weight is close to that of plastic. Thus, the strength-to-weight ratio (as well as stiffness-to-weight ratio) of a carbon fiber part is much higher than either steel or plastic. The specific details depend on the matter of construction of the part and the application. For instance, a foam-core sandwich has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio in bending, but not necessarily in compression or crush. In addition, any components' loading and boundary conditions are unique to the structure within which they reside. Thus, it is impossible for us to provide the thickness of the carbon fiber plate that would replace the steel plate in your application. It is the customer's responsibility to determine the safety and suitability of any Dragonplate product for a specific purpose. This is accomplished through engineering analysis and experimental validation.