Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Printing on carbon fibre

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic20142.aspx

By Matevz - 1/5/2016 3:22:38 PM

Hello all,
I have a question about printing on carbon fibre. Me and my friends are working on some project and we would need to print something on carbon fibre.

We have already tried UV printers, direct printing and screen printing. The only method that is close to OK is screen printing, but paint just isn't durable enough (maybe if we could apply some kind of varnish over it would be ok).

We heard about some kind of foil, that you apply before curing carbon fibre but we don't know what would be the finish with that technique and what kind of foil we would need.

We are using 200g pre-preg cured at 130 deg C.

Thank you for your help!
By Batista Wang - 1/12/2020 3:24:37 PM

 
Matevz - 1/5/2016 3:22:38 PM
Hello all,
I have a question about printing on carbon fibre. Me and my friends are working on some project and we would need to print something on carbon fibre.

We have already tried UV printers, direct printing and screen printing. The only method that is close to OK is screen printing, but paint just isn't durable enough (maybe if we could apply some kind of varnish over it would be ok).

We heard about some kind of foil, that you apply before curing carbon fibre but we don't know what would be the finish with that technique and what kind of foil we would need.

We are using 200g pre-preg cured at 130 deg C.

Thank you for your help!

According to my acknowledge and experiences, Laser printing is one of the best way to print on carbon fiber (tube or plate or whatever with a smooth surface)
Weeks ago, we'd conducted an experiment for carbon fiber fishing rod project for Paul (Australian friend having a fishing rods workshop), and we tested printing logo (pattern + words) in white color, yellow gold color, and silver color, and it proved to be very effective:

1. Using Laser printer to print the artwork (your logo or words) (Oki pro 7411 wt laser printer is prefered);
2. Via heat transfer process to print the artwork to the carbon fiber by using heat press machines;
2.1. it is relatively easy to print white color on carbon fiber (200 celcuis degree for 20 seconds) ,pressure much be handled carefully'
2.2. for gold or silver print, will have to use gold or silver coil paper on heat press machines, 180 celcuis degree for 15 seconds
3. Use epoxy resin to cover up the print, so the printing will last much much longer

Remark:
A. for OKI pro 7411 wt laser printer, its much expensive, about USD 8000, BUT there are much cheaper options to do a very similar job, by using a modified cheaper OKI model, budget around USD 4500 (including the laser printer, special laser papperx100pcs, M/C/Y/W toner);
B. Heat press machines of various type: budget around at USD 180~USD 400
C. Coil paper you can buy at your local market, not expensive

Hope my experience and advise help,

thanks,
Batista WANG
batista_wang at hotmail.com