Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Cutting composite fabrics

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic34814.aspx

By c&e - 2/10/2020 6:27:25 PM

Hi
I've started basic layups and struggled a little cutting carbon cloth.
At the moment I'm using 200g 2x2 Twill 3k Black Stuff Carbon Fibre (1000mm).
Low Cost Carbon Fibre for General Use
Easy Composites' Black Stuff™ products are a range of no-frills carbon fibre reinforcements woven to a more basic specification and which do not carry our usual full certification. Black Stuff™ carbon fibre is intended for use in non-visual applications, backing layers, mould making and general commercial use. It is not suitable for critical cosmetic applications, aerospace use or other uses where a CoC or fibre certificates are required.
In mechanical properties and general handling Black Stuff is still a great performing all-rounder and is actually comparable to the general purpose carbon fibre sold by many suppliers.
This 200g, 2/2 twill Black Stuff™ fabric is woven from genuine 3k carbon fibre (Formosa TC35 3K) with a specification and mechanical performance similar (but not as good as) our standard range of carbon fibre fabrics however it does not undergo visual inspection and is woven at a higher speed and therefore some imperfections can be expected. Black Stuff™ also uses a slightly lower modulus fibre than our standard 3k carbon.  
These are my first efforts so using cheap carbon to practice with.
I have proper shears from easy composite. First attempt was messy, second attempt today I taped area with I was cutting with masking tape. This was a big improvement but found it easy to deform raw fabric.
Is best to use one long piece or maybe 4 25cm pieces? I then found the masking tape was too good so cut once on the glass plate.
Is cutting with scalpel a better practice? What effect does leaving masking tape have on the infusion?
Thanks for taking time to read my post

Graeme  
By c&e - 2/13/2020 9:49:23 AM

 
MarkMK - 2/12/2020 1:24:22 PM
Those fibres you'll find more difficult to cut and to finish neatly so, if you're in an experimental stage, you'd likely be better sticking with carbon fabric for now.

Unless you have specific requirements for abrasion resistance or a need to hold a part together better in the event of impact, there might not be much call to use them in the general lay-up of you parts. Even if you do, you might find it beneficial to limit their use to specific reinforcement areas away from the usual trim line when finishing


Thanks Mark
Yestersays result for successful. I work in the motorsport industry with data and electronics.
I'm learning composites for track cars so anything from dashboard, flat bottom and wings etc
I will be using fabric based on there design characteristics
Thanks for the advice Mark
have a good day