Carbon fiber has been used in bicycles as a high-tech material in the last ten years. Strictly speaking, carbon fiber is not a simple carbon element, but a mixture of carbon elements that is bonded and reinforced with epoxy resin after weaving. In the early days of carbon fiber, due to technical reasons, the epoxy resin used would even decompose in the sun. With the advancement of science and technology, the shortcomings of this excellent material are gradually being overcome. For example, the German K frame uses high-grade 16K carbon fiber. The strength of this carbon fiber even exceeds that of steel, and it has a lifetime warranty.
Carbon fiber not only has the intrinsic characteristics of carbon materials but also has the soft processability of textile fibers. Its specific gravity is less than 1/4 of steel, but its strength is very strong. And its corrosion resistance is outstanding, it is a new generation of reinforcing fiber. The carbon frame is characterized by "lightweight, good rigidity, and good impact absorption". To give full play to the excellent performance of carbon fiber, it does not seem to be so easy technically. However, carbon fiber still has advantages that other materials do not have. It can manufacture lightweight carbon bicycles of about 8kg or 9kg. This kind of carbon fiber lightweight bicycle can best reflect its advantages when climbing a hill, and the climbing is smooth and refreshing. And unlike some light aluminum alloy frames, you feel a kind of pullback when climbing a hill.
Generally speaking, carbon fiber as a bicycle material has the following characteristics:
1. Extremely lightweight:
Carbon fiber mountain bike frames of about 1200 grams have been seen everywhere. Since the mass of carbon is only 1.6 g/cm3, it is no longer a dream to make a frame of about 1 kg. The carbon fiber frame is made by layering carbon fibers against the direction in which the stress occurs to obtain strength. The carbon fiber frame is very light, which is due to its density and strong tensile strength.
2.Good shock absorption performance.
The carbon fiber frame bicycle can effectively absorb vibration and maintain good rigidity. This feature makes it a very good competition-level material.
3. Frames of various shapes can be made.
Unlike the manufacturing process of a general metal frame, a carbon fiber frame is generally made by first making a mold, then attaching a carbon fiber sheet to the mold, and finally fixing it with epoxy resin. This kind of manufacturing process can use aerodynamics to make a frame with minimal wind resistance.
The current problems with this material are mainly the following 4 points:
1. Complicated stress calculation.
The carbon fiber bike frame is composed of carbon fiber, which is characterized by strong tensile strength but weak shear strength. Complex stress calculations (longitudinal rigidity and lateral rigidity) are required during processing, and the carbon fiber sheets are overlapped and formed according to the calculation. Generally speaking, carbon fiber resists surface impact quite well, but its puncture resistance is very poor. That is to say, it doesn't matter if you fall and shoot vertically. I'm afraid that you will encounter one or two sharp pebbles in the process of falling horizontally and vertically. Then it can be solved by soldering it.
2. The price is expensive.
Compared with titanium alloys, the price of carbon fiber frames is even higher. The price of top carbon fiber frames is tens of thousands, while the price of Konago's C40 and C50 even exceeds 20,000. Yuan. This is mainly because the manufacturing process of the carbon fiber frame requires a lot of manual work, and the scrap rate is very high, resulting in a large increase in cost.
3. Difficult to change the size.
It is difficult to change the size of the frame due to the molding after the mold is completed. Unable to respond to orders of multiple sizes and styles.
4. It is easy to age:
It will gradually whiten when placed in the sun. Of course, this phenomenon is related to the manufacturer's technology. It is best not to place it in the sun. Some carbon racks even need to be regularly coated with a protective layer.
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Post time: Jul-30-2021