Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

About The Edge of Carbon Fiber

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic31272.aspx

By caoyujames - 12/13/2018 8:05:59 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm glad to find easycomposites.com. I could find almost everything I need for my project. And Now I have a question about how to deal with the edge, didn't find much information about this topic.

I'm building sunglasses and prescription glasses using carbon fiber. My current plan is resin infusion using custom molds and forming curved carbon fiber sheets and then CNC milling the edge. The problem is, after CNC, the edge is squarish and sharp. However, I found that product from other brands such as Oakley Carbon Blade has a smooth and round edge. I looked closely but could not find any fiber structure or texture on the edge. My theory about how to form the round edge is using high speed CNC milling using custom tool head, for example, a curved tool head. So is there anyone has the experience of treating the edge for aesthetic and comfort purposes? How to achieve such an effect.

Thank you

Best regards,


By Warren (Staff) - 12/13/2018 10:24:33 AM

The edges can be machined or finished by hand to get a smooth edge.  The uniform black finish is probably painted with a matt black paint.  Typically you would see a charcoal black colour on the edge with some very slight lines showing the layers. Alternatively some people brush a thin layer of resin or cyanoacrylate glue over the edge to seal and protect, or you can just polish/wax it with a wax rich black coloured polish.