I am doing a school project of the use of carbon fibres in F1, and although I already have a lot on information on how they are used, I need some information on what properties make them so perfect for F1, and why they have these properties (in terms of chemical sturture and bonding). Any information would be very useful, thank you.
There is also this topic where we talk about the monocoque torsional stiffness....and we also end up talking about carbon fibre (if I recall correctly).
This information was very usefulol, but I also need to know more about the chemical properties, not just how it's made. For example, do you know which modulus is used, and why it is actually so strong, it terms of the actual structure.
a simple explanation for the strength could be a comparison with cotton. The latter is found in nature in soft bowls and isn't really strong, but when stretched out like a fibre, there's really a serious gain in pull strength.
The same happens with carbon fibres. Basically those are polymers which are lengthly all directed in the same way, which creates its strength. This is also the reason for the anisotropic properties of the fibres.
The modulus for perpendicular forces is explained because of the resin binding the fibres.
I believe spin weaving is also used somewhere in F1 cars, not sure where though, my guess would be the air box inside the engine cover, and the conical part of the nose cone attachment. Spin weaving, unlike molds, is done simply by spinning an object around while the fabric is threaded over the object, creating a sort of male-like mold shape. (think of the mold as the spool and the carbon fibre as yarn that is spun on the spool) the process allows for the carbon fibre to be applied with cross-like patterns(if you have ever noticed it on a spool of thread), utilizing the strength of the molecular structure. Unlike conventional molding processes, this one produces an efficient light and durable object. I have seen it being used on some pressure tanks as well.
