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Old 03-02-2006, 04:31   #1
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Carbon Fibre

I have an opportunity to buy some carbon mast spreaders and a carbon wing section that the owner thinks will do me well for a radar arch. Problem is I know jack about this material, bonding methods etc. Does anyone here have any expertise or links to "how to" sites? I've tried googling but haven't come up with anything useful yet. C'mon Gord, you the man on this sort of research. Nobody comes close.
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Old 03-02-2006, 13:47   #2
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Try the forums at http://www.bateau.com/

Mostly for homebuilders, but they do sell a carbonfiber mast kit.

The forum has a good amount of knowledgeable activity and the admins are builders too.

I built their PK78 as a tender, and the plans were great, but the community made the project a breeze!

http://www.bateau.com/
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Old 04-02-2006, 01:41   #3
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Sorry, I don’t know much about Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRPs or CRPs).

Carbon is electrically conductive, exhibits a very high electrolytic potential, and behaves as a very* noble (cathodic) material in the galvanic series. Carbon also has a high coefficient of thermal expansion.

* Between Platinum & Titanium (Graphite)

Aluminum, being quite anodic, should not be used in direct contact with CFRP’s.

I’ve heard that Epoxy Resin, utilized as a structural adhesive, can provide adequate isolation/insulation between CFRPs and less noble metals, such as Aluminum.

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Old 04-02-2006, 02:11   #4
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Thanks Gord,
If I go ahead, the arch will be bonded to the existing glass over ply cockpit coaming so electrolysis shouldn't be a factor but I will definitely watch any fastenings I use.
I'll use the abbreviations you have given and google again.
Cheers
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Old 09-07-2010, 11:09   #5
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Trying to reawaken this thread - having broken our chainplate, we are now (of course) starting to contemplate replcing the rigging. A Dutch cruiser we know has suggested looking at Carbon Fibre rigging. We have a very old, very heavy fibre glass cruising yacht. There is a racing yacht in our fleet which has hatches and steps etc made from Carbon Fibre, but no Carbon Fibre rigging here in Kuwait. Yet.

Does anyone have recent experience of using it? Has anyone replaced rigging with CFRPs?
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Old 09-07-2010, 11:12   #6
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the biggest advantage of carbon is the light weight... if you have an old plastic classic cruiser that is (typically) a brick house of a girl, I doubt the relative reduced weight would offset the relative increase in cost...

not enough bang for the buck maybe?
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Old 09-07-2010, 12:15   #7
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not enough bang for the buck maybe?
Look here now - I'm planning on going blond next week, if only to hide the greys a bit easier. But I'm not blond yet. I think my problem with understanding the above is perhaps a language thing - I'm English, remember. What does it mean????
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Old 09-07-2010, 12:19   #8
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I have made a few surfboards using CF and many little things. The weight savings is great if that matters to you. It is pricey but is quit durable the thing I don't like is when it breaks it turns into a razor saw in the broken edge. you can use it just like fiberglass and epoxy except it doesn't sand for crap. Fix it the same way. I can help if you have any specific questions. I also made a hood for my buddies race car I think it weigh like 7 pounds LOL.
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Old 09-07-2010, 12:20   #9
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Look here now - I'm planning on going blond next week, if only to hide the greys a bit easier. But I'm not blond yet. I think my problem with understanding the above is perhaps a language thing - I'm English, remember. What does it mean????
lol, sorry...

bang for the buck = value for the money spent
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Old 09-07-2010, 12:21   #10
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Oh, and about the CFRP... Cost isn't such a big issue - and likely any extra capital cost could well be offset by a lower shipping cost... Weight on the boat not such an issue, perhaps. But how much weight would we save? 10kg at the top of the mast, and all that... (or is it just in racing that matters???)

Is it really stronger than steel? Does it last longer? Most importantly, have people had any problems with it?
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Old 09-07-2010, 13:42   #11
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It is stronger than steel per weight but it doesn't have the abraision resistance. That is what kevlar is for but it breaks down fast in uv. Many people use CF masts not just for racing either. Not sure what weight you would save but it would prob make a difference in motion. Everything has compromises and it is a proven material. Just make sure you buy one that is made profesionaly I have seen some vac bag work that wasn't post cured I could put my thumb through.
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Old 09-07-2010, 16:13   #12
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It is stronger than steel per weight but it doesn't have the abraision resistance. That is what kevlar is for but it breaks down fast in uv.
Do you mean Kevlar breaks down in UV (which we already learnt - Kevlar sails don't fare well here), or CFRP breaks down in UV? Cos living in the desert, we don't really want to use materials that don't do well in the sun....
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Old 09-07-2010, 16:30   #13
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CF last alot longer in uv than kevlar I was referring to kevlar as breaking down quickly. Painting helps a great deal most CF masts I have seen have been painted.
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Old 10-07-2010, 14:06   #14
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CF last alot longer in uv than kevlar I was referring to kevlar as breaking down quickly. Painting helps a great deal most CF masts I have seen have been painted.
But how about the epoxy matrix that the carbon fiber is laid up in?

That surely does degrade in UV...

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Old 10-07-2010, 14:13   #15
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Epoxy is immortal, I think... No problems with that here!!
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