Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Carbon Fiber Aerofoils

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic16735.aspx

By MechEng86 - 4/26/2015 7:50:47 PM

Hello Everyone,

Apologies if this has been covered else where, this is my first attempt at making any components from carbon fiber, and I am a little unsure of the best way to make my design.  Any advice/help you could give in terms of materials and techniques would be appreciated.  I have tried to outline what I am trying to make below.  I think for a first project, that it should not be too complicated?

In essence I am trying to make a NACA 0018 aerofoil, with a 50 mm chord 9 mm maximum thickness and 200 mm span.  I was hoping to use a foam core, with around a 0.25/0.5 mm outer carbon fiber skin, to keep the overall mass to a minimum. But this is subject to me finishing my calculations.  My question is how would I go about doing making this design, and would this be a sensible approach.  Would the laminating starter kit below be suitable, or would this be the wrong approach for this application?  I was thinking of wither wrapping the carbon fiber directly around the foam, or making a mould to manufacture the outer skins first.

By Fasta - 4/28/2015 1:09:11 AM

I have made hundreds of foils like this.

Best to mix some 45 degree fibre in the layups too otherwise the skins will be very easily twisted. Just makes them a bit more stable while you are fitting/gluing.