I've agreed a bit of a cool job. Customer oens a dutch GRP velomobile and wants to replace some of the GRP panels with prepreg carbon to save weight.
This particular model is interesting in that the monocoque is also composite, which makes evenmore room for weigh savings.

I will post photos of the project as I go along.

Here's the beast:



GRP monocoque:

Sounds like fun.

is it made from typical pikey CSM and cheap polyester?  If so you've plenty of room to play with on weight saving.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

LOL,  "pikey CSM" hahaha

Day 1 (Clean up and Weigh in):









I was surprised at the weight they came out to be. 6.5Kg total. I thought it was going to be above 10Kg.

Surprisingly light indeed, and yes it looks like pikey CSM lol... u could get that down to half most probably with carbon n possibly soric. maybe its not needed.

Looks interesting, like the horn in the first image, it may have been better placed outside . What was the estimated weight saving  ?

I estimate half, I'm going to aim for 33%, so hopefully 2Kg total.

I need to think what schedule to use. I'm undecided whether to use a single layer of 645gsm or 3 layers of 200gsm.

Day 2 (Flanges):

I would personally use 2 layers of 200gsm in the middle of the panels, one at 90 degrees and one at 45 degrees.  Then add a few more layers around the edges and some foam cored ribs for stiffness.

Day 3 (Gel Coat):

Good job, Nice project to follow! keep the updates coming

Matthieu Libeert
Founder MAT2 Composites X Sports
website: www.mat2composites.com