Where is Carbon Fiber Tubing Used?
Carbon fiber tubing is becoming more and more popular in many industries, including automotive, automation, and industrial robotics. It is used in applications where light weight and high strength are important properties, making it a popular choice. What do you know about carbon fiber tubes? What are they used for? What are their properties, characteristics, and benefits? Get your answers below!
Uses for Carbon Fiber Tubing
First, let's start with where carbon fiber tubes are used. Carbon tubes are used in many applications where stiffness and light weight provide an advantage and have a wide range of uses, including, construction, sporting goods, and industrial products.
Carbon Fiber Tubes for Cars and Bikes
Carbon fiber tubing is used in cars, motorcycles, and bicycles for weight reduction. Some examples are:
Exhaust systems in sportbikes or racing machines
Suspension systems in sports cars utilizing carbon fiber suspension springs
Racecar parts such as carbon fiber brake calipers or carbon fiber rotors
Lightweight racing and mountain bike frames
Carbon Fiber Tubes in Manufacturing and Aerospace Industries
Next, let's look at how carbon tubes are used in the manufacturing and aerospace industries. Carbon fiber can be found on many aircraft built today. Typical applications include the fuselage, wing structure, and controls. Carbon fiber is also used in internal bulkheads, flooring, ducts, and access panels.
Carbon Fiber Tubes for Construction
Construction companies and other industries are using carbon tubes in a variety of ways. They're being used in bridges and truss construction. Their strength-to-weight ratio makes them ideal construction materials.
Carbon Fiber Tubes for Sporting Goods
Lastly, carbon fiber tubing is commonly found in sporting goods such as fishing rods and tennis rackets. Its high tensile strength makes these products more durable and lightweight resulting in improved performance.
Benefits and Properties of Carbon Fiber Tubing
What are some of the benefits of using a carbon tube rather than other materials? What makes them stand out against metals like aluminum or titanium? Carbon fiber tubing has a high enough tensile strength that can replace steel, titanium, or aluminum in applications where weight is an important factor. Carbon fiber composites are stronger than steel with one-third its density. They are also resistant to corrosion, can be made to withstand high temperatures, and have minimal thermal expansion. Depending on the specific carbon fiber tube design, it can be made stiff or flexible.
