Hey guys just wonderin' what the differences were between fiberglass and carbon fiber? Pros and Cons. Thanks in advance.

 

FRP is cheaper, CF is more expensive.

FRP is easier to fix, CF is stronger.

 

FRP - Fiber (glass) Reinforced Plastic.

CF - Carbon Fiber

The majority of CF products are fiberglass with 1-2 layers of carbon on it. Also their are many ways to manufacture CF parts from wet-layup (like fiberglass) to pre-preg vacuum bagging (much stronger and lighter) and vacuum bag + autoclave (lightest, strongest, and most expensive).

Most products are wet-layup which does not have the light weight or strength properties associated with CF (but it looks cool) because its cheaper.

Some (still relatively rare) expensive products are vacuum bagged and are very light and strong.

0.02

 

Without getting into a dissertation about all the composite materials (and Hybrid fabrics), it comes down to strength/weight ratio.

The quick list:

Fiberglas: inexpensive, easy to handle(molding/tooling and such), light, ok strength(compared to other composites).

CF: expensive(as all hell now. Have you looked at prices per yrd? ), more difficult to handle (vacuum infusion for best S/W % < prepreg), very light, high strength/ stiffness.

It all comes down to the right tool for the job. There are times I would much rather use FRP, Aramid(Kevlar) or S2 for a part.

~Chris

 

FRP snaps easier it seem like. You can not really cover up damage to carbon fiber compare to FRP

 

The difference you need to know comes down to this....CF is BALLER!!

 

the weight difference between the two types is normally negligible, i would say frp presents a better value overall while cfrp is strictly for looks. for example, the does the weight difference between a frp and cfrp mugen hardtop qualify for the price difference? exactly...but there is no question that the carbon hardtop looks quite unseasonable.

 

Depends if it's prepregged-vacuum bagged and has the strength to weight properties of true carbon.

If it's wet layup like fiberglass, then NO.