What is Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)?
Q: What is Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)?
A: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP or CRP) is a very strong, light and expensive composite material or fiber-reinforced plastic. It is made up of reinforcing fibers such as carbon fiber, epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester or nylon, kevlar, aluminium and fiberglass reinforcement.
Q: What are some applications of CFRP?
A: CFRP has many applications in aerospace and automotive fields, as well as in sailboats. It is also used in modern bicycles and motorcycles where its qualities are important. Additionally it is becoming increasingly common for small consumer goods such as laptop computers, tripods, fishing rods, paintball equipment, racquet sports frames, stringed instrument bodies classical guitar strings and drum shells.
Q: What materials are commonly used to make CFRP?
A: Commonly the name of its reinforcing fibers (carbon fiber) for the composite material is used. The plastic most often used is epoxy but other plastics such as polyester, vinyl ester or nylon can also be used. Some composites contain both carbon fiber and other fibres such as kevlar, aluminium and fiberglass reinforcement. Less commonly graphite-reinforced plastic or graphite fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) may also be used.
Q: Is CFRP expensive?
A: Yes CFRP is an expensive composite material due to the strength and lightness it provides when compared to other materials with similar properties.
Q: How does GFRP differ from CFRP?
A: GFRPs are less commonly used than CFRPs but they still have their uses in certain applications due to their unique properties which differ from those of a standard carbon fibre reinforced plastic composite material. Generally speaking GFRPs provide greater flexibility than CFRPs while still providing strength at a lighter weight than traditional materials like steel or aluminum would offer for similar applications.
Q: Are there any consumer goods that use CFRP?
A: Yes there are many consumer goods that use this type of composite material including laptop computers, tripods fishing rods paintball equipment racquet sports frames stringed instrument bodies classical guitar strings and drum shells among others
