Hi Everyone,

                  Are there any metals that should not be used on CF projects.  I think I have heard or  seen suggestions that as carbon fibre is conductive you will get galvanic corrosion with aluminium inserts. Providing the insert is bonded post cure with epoxy would the resin stop the insert touching the conductive carbon fibres?  Would brass or  stainless be ok?

I am not talking high end structural  applications such as aircraft here  but more mundane items such as  car panels perhaps exposed to rain or moisture. Does cured epoxy resin outgas acidic  vapours? I remember being told never use steel fasteners with Oak wood. Acid vapours given off will rust the nails screws. Would the same rule of thumb apply to CF?

Many thanks

Trevor

if you are using carbon fibre you either need to have a sacrificial layer of glass fibre as the mating face or use stainless / titanium to reduce any galvanic corrosion. If the life time of the compoennt you are making is short or you will be unbolting the metallic part then a decent anodised or painted ali part will last for sometime before you need to worry about corrosion

Hello Scottracing,

                          Thank you for your response. I think I will go the stainless fastener direction. I live not far from the coast, so plenty of yacht chandlers to browse in.




Trevor  

While it is true that galvanic corrosion will occur, the leading manufacturers for many many high performance components such as Carbon rims that have aluminum components do not insulate against it.  (or maybe they anodize)

An epoxy adhesive will insulate against galvanic corrosion. You only need fibreglass or anodised ali if you are including the metal in the layup of your part. If us bonded on after, there shouldn't be any conductivity from the carbon to the metal.