In this article, we will answer your questions about what a composite material is, how it's made, and the benefits it offers. We will also go over what carbon fibers are, how they are made, carbon fiber manufacturer and the benefits of using carbon fibers.
What is composite?
Composites are one of the greatest inventions of today's technology and make modern technical life easier in many ways. Composites are made of two or more materials that are physically, chemically or biologically different from each other. Composites are assembled at the macro level from two or more different materials to ensure that the desired efficiency is achieved at the highest level. This new material is called a composite material, and these new metals are very practical for engineering purposes. Composite materials consist of at least two or more components, and the main structure of the composite material consists of two components. The first of these materials is called "matrix material" and the other is called "reinforcing material". The matrix material is the binder of the composite material. The reinforcing material is responsible for holding the composite material together.
The main purpose of making composite materials is to improve the properties of two or more materials and obtain a material that better suits the purpose of the material being made. Apart from the fact that composites are very useful from an engineering point of view, there are also many examples of composites in the field of biology. Wood and bone in our body are examples of composite materials. Apart from this, the application area of composites is wide.
Defense Industry
As the use of composites becomes more widespread in the world, they are also becoming more common in the defense industry. Resistance and lightness are very important in the field of defense industry. Moreover, composites are widely used in the defense industry as they are both more resistant and lighter in various combinations.
Aerospace industry
The most basic property of composites, and the reason they are so widely used, is that they are as strong as metal and lighter than metal. With the development of composites and today's technologies, their durability has improved and the maintenance of composites has become easier. Thanks to this development, their use in aerospace has become very reasonable in today's conditions.
In addition, composites are also widely used in the automotive, transportation, construction and healthcare industries.
Why should we use composite materials?
The most obvious characteristic of composites is that they are lightweight and durable. The general purpose of making composites is to reduce the weight of the manufactured material, increase its durability, heat resistance and conductivity. Apart from this, the composite material retains its durability and lightness while remaining resistant to wear.
Disposition
As composite materials are manufactured, the indirect cost of the manufactured material also decreases. Cost reduction is one of the most important factors in the use of composites. By using composites, you can indirectly save material and labor. Composites are lighter and this lightness saves fuel in the aerospace industry.
Durability
Composites are lightweight, but their endurance is very high. Durability and lightness mean a huge advantage in certain areas. Composites are also highly resistant to harsh weather conditions, harmful chemicals and fuels. In other words, one of the advantages of using composites is that they are resistant to harmful substances. In addition, composites are durable compared to their metallic counterparts. Composites are resistant to rotting and abrasion. Also, composites are materials that require less maintenance due to their structure.
Resistance
Composite materials are good insulators. They are not able to insulate heat and electricity well, and this is a property that works in the desired area. Because depending on the application, it is more important that composites are a good insulator than a good conductor. In other words, the insulating properties of composites are an important reason for their use.
Design Possibilities
Because composites are formed by combining two or more materials in a macro state, this property offers composite manufacturers the opportunity to develop a variety of designs. By using fiber orientation techniques efficiency rate of final product is increased. This, in turn, provides manufacturers with different options for different applications, both in terms of function and esthetics.
What is carbon fiber?
The main advantage of using carbon fiber as a composite material instead of steel is that it is much lighter than steel. The density of carbon fiber is very low compared to steel, which saves both space and fuel. With lighter equipment, higher efficiency is achieved. This is the main advantage of using carbon fiber. In addition, carbon fiber has the advantage of durability and esthetics, as it does not oxidize compared to steel.
Carbon fiber production and carbon fiber manufacturers
Carbon fiber manufacturers produce each material at a macro level. The substance used to make carbon fiber is called precursor, and almost 90% of carbon fiber is made from polyacrionitrile. The sheathing part is covered with artificial silk or pitch oil. Various liquids and gasses are used in the production process. Some of these materials are designed to interact with the fiber, while other materials are designed not to interact with the fiber and prevent certain interactions.
Oxidation
Carbon fiber manufacturers produce fibers that have become macroscopic and are heated to 300°C. The reason for this heating is to separate the hydrogen from the fiber and add oxygen. In this way, the material to be produced obtains its heat resistance.
Carbonization
Carbon fiber manufacturers ensure that the fibers are fully carbonized by heating the fibers to 300°C in the carbonization phase. The temperature applied in this phase determines the caliber of the fiber produced.
Surface treatment
The surface of the carbon fibers is cleaned and the electrolyte is introduced into the bath to achieve better adhesion of the fiber composite. Surface treatment at this stage, which is one of the stages of carbon fiber construction, is done by the carbon fiber manufacturer to protect the carbon fibers from further processing and external factors. It is coated with fiber resin.
Carbon fibers are used in the aerospace, automotive, wind turbine, marine and construction industries.
How do we manufacture composites and carbon fiber at Corvus Composites?
Corvus Composites has a variety of techniques for manufacturing. After our customer contacted, we provide options for manufacturing and possible final material properties. After a detailed analysis we try to provide our client best possible efficient material possible.
Composite and especially carbon fiber parts are highly dependent on workmanship and skills. In Corvus Composites we are working with high skilled team and providing best quality products. We comply with quality certificates of ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45000 standards.