ChopperGun Carbon Fiber

[ClarkT]

I've got a project where we would like to run 24k carbon roving through our chopper gun.....don't ask why ;)

Has anyone ever done anything like this? Have any warnings or tips for someone setting out to do this?

[Eric Sponberg]

Dumb idea, I think. First of all, carbon fiber is not a continuous fiber like fiberglass. It is made up of many fine strands of relatively short lengths, bonded together with a sizing. It frays and fuzzes very easily. Also, carbon fiber is electrically conductive, so if you were to use it in a chopper gun, carbon fuzz would fly into the air, and it can get into nearby electrical equipment and short it out.

You can buy carbon fiber mat, and that might be the easiest way to go to get a mat carbon lay-up.

Eric

[ClarkT]

I'm worried about the static charge too. I've got some roving on the way to test the idea with. I'm aware of the carbon mat available, and we could also build the tool with woven carbon, but I'd like to spend ~$14/lb. on the carbon tow rather than $20+/lb for the rolls of fabric.

As an alternative, anyone know of a very cheep (relative to typical carbon) fabric that I might use?

[methacc]

Where can I get carbon fiber mat?

Thanks