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Group: Forum Members
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Visits: 62
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Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and new to carbon fiber composites in general.
My current project is a mast for a sailboat dinghy.
As my first question on this forum, I'd like to ask if my logic is sound regarding the strength of a carbon fiber component.
I have a hollow wooden mast 12 feet (3.6 meters) high and would like to replace it with a carbon fiber mast of the same diameter.
The wooden mast is 3 inches (75 mm) in diameter with a wall thickness of 0.75 inches (20 mm).
(The carbon cloth I plan to use will be bi-axial twill sleeve, along with West System epoxy.)
When I compare the material properties of the wood to the carbon fiber, I find:
in compression, carbon fiber composite is between 12—16 times stronger
and in tension, carbon fiber composite is between 9—12 times stronger.
As I understand it, I can build the dinghy mast with the same height and diameter.
If I divide the wall thickness of the wooden mast by 9, I get 0.08 inches (2 mm) for the corresponding carbon fiber mast.
So a carbon fiber mast with a wall thickness of 0.08 inches (2 mm) would be similar in tension and much stronger in compression than the corresponding wooden mast.
Is my logic sound?
Thanks for your help!
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