I want to do some carbon fiber work can anyone tell me any sites to find info on the procces or can give a fast over view of it thanx

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wIll trade my girl friend for a Big Block

I have done some carbon, graphite, fiberglass composite wet layups and pre-pregs in college (6 years ago). We did a pre-preg (resin already impregnated into composite) carbon/graphite layout of a Beech Starship (all composite aircraft). The way we did it is as follows:

Cut and layout pre-preg graphite or carbon fiber on a flat surface.
Inclose/seal layout in a vacuum bag.
Hook it up to the vacuum pump and place it into the oven (oven is about the size of a small garage).
Cook while under vacuum for specified time/temp.
Remove part and be amazed at its strength and flexibility.

I am not sure I would be willing/able to try this at home for a project as aquiring the equipment would be the major problem.

Tfound this site to do panels with the epoxy cote carbon http://www.bryanf.com/info/carbon1.htm

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wIll trade my girl friend for a Big Block

I spent about 7 yrs as a composite toolmaker in the Aircraft field so I will tell you my experience... But first a quiestion. What is it you are trying to fab? Are you going for a decorative "carbon fiber look" or a lightweight structural/body part? Carbon fiber is horribly expensive and not very forgiving. Usually it takes more than vacuum bagging alone, most carbon fiber aircraft parts are vacuum bagged then put into a "autoclave" which applies positive pressure past the 28"hg vacuum. Kind of like a big pressure cooking oven. Also most pre-preg type materials must be refrigerated and or frozen with specific exposure time limits/work life, obviously dry graphite has no exposure but can be very difficult to obtain desired resin to glass ratio's for obtimum strength. Too much resin will be brittle, too little will result in dry/weak areas. Vacuum bagging can help but is a poor substitute for pre-preg materials. I'm not going to say it can't be done, but it would sure be a job for most do-it-yourselfers. If you want specific instructions most manufactures have pretty detailed requirements for their products to obtain the desired results. You might try HEXCEL Corp. I know there are a few manufacturers, try searching under Aerospace. You might try Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Company (they have a free catalog) they specialize in home built/prototype aircraft and may be a good source.
Best of luck!
MStarmer

[This message has been edited by MStarmer (edited 04-16-2001).]

I want to try the dry stuff for obviouse reasons I dont have a huge oven or an autoclave I want to start small and work my way up to a Hood and core support and things of the sort looks have little to do with it most will be painted anyway..It is the weight savings i want..also would like to do fenderwells ...I want to do the Carbon fiber with fiber glass backing method..so there will be some money savings with this method..any suggestions would help thanx