Is UV Inhibitor Needed for Carbon Fiber?


Author
Message
John Hansen
J
Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 42, Visits: 232
Warren (Staff) - 2/14/2019 12:03:39 PM
It all depends on the environment you use the parts in.  A lot of race and track cars are only outside for relatively few days or weeks of the year so never see significant UV exposure.  In most of northern Europe, the mixed weather again means the UV exposure is not that bad - we have seen bonnets on cars for almost 8 years now that have been kept outside and show no sign of yellowing.

If you are in the sunny states of the USA or the middle east, the massive increase in UV exposure means that you may well be better off having the part lacqered with a UV stable clear coat.


Thank you Warren. Very short term exposure is expected for my UAV.


A Lifelong Learner

Edited 6 Years Ago by HansenJC
John Hansen
J
Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 42, Visits: 232
Lester Populaire - 2/14/2019 8:14:17 AM
HansenJC - 2/13/2019 6:57:54 PM
I have found one on-line vendor offering  UV inhibitor, but the video tutorials that are available do not discuss the need for any added step to protect carbon fiber products. Will the resin used in all three methods of Carbon Fiber fabrication (Resin Infusion, Hand Layup, and Prepreg) have UV inhibitors included in the resin chemistry?

they usually do not. if you want serious UV protection i would recommend an automotive clearcoat on top of your parts.


Thank you. My UAV parts will get rare and short exposure to sun.


A Lifelong Learner

Warren (Staff)
Warren (Staff)
Supreme Being (22K reputation)Supreme Being (22K reputation)Supreme Being (22K reputation)Supreme Being (22K reputation)Supreme Being (22K reputation)Supreme Being (22K reputation)Supreme Being (22K reputation)Supreme Being (22K reputation)Supreme Being (22K reputation)
Group: Administrators
Posts: 2.5K, Visits: 8.5K
It all depends on the environment you use the parts in.  A lot of race and track cars are only outside for relatively few days or weeks of the year so never see significant UV exposure.  In most of northern Europe, the mixed weather again means the UV exposure is not that bad - we have seen bonnets on cars for almost 8 years now that have been kept outside and show no sign of yellowing.

If you are in the sunny states of the USA or the middle east, the massive increase in UV exposure means that you may well be better off having the part lacqered with a UV stable clear coat.


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant
Lester Populaire
L
Supreme Being (2.9K reputation)Supreme Being (2.9K reputation)Supreme Being (2.9K reputation)Supreme Being (2.9K reputation)Supreme Being (2.9K reputation)Supreme Being (2.9K reputation)Supreme Being (2.9K reputation)Supreme Being (2.9K reputation)Supreme Being (2.9K reputation)
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 311, Visits: 13K
HansenJC - 2/13/2019 6:57:54 PM
I have found one on-line vendor offering  UV inhibitor, but the video tutorials that are available do not discuss the need for any added step to protect carbon fiber products. Will the resin used in all three methods of Carbon Fiber fabrication (Resin Infusion, Hand Layup, and Prepreg) have UV inhibitors included in the resin chemistry?

they usually do not. if you want serious UV protection i would recommend an automotive clearcoat on top of your parts.

John Hansen
J
Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)Supreme Being (379 reputation)
Group: Forum Members
Posts: 42, Visits: 232
I have found one on-line vendor offering  UV inhibitor, but the video tutorials that are available do not discuss the need for any added step to protect carbon fiber products. Will the resin used in all three methods of Carbon Fiber fabrication (Resin Infusion, Hand Layup, and Prepreg) have UV inhibitors included in the resin chemistry?


A Lifelong Learner

GO

Merge Selected

Merge into selected topic...



Merge into merge target...



Merge into a specific topic ID...




Similar Topics

Reading This Topic

Explore
Messages
Mentions
Search