Carbon Fiber Resources

Thinking about using carbon fiber for your next project, but not sure where to start? Read on for answers to common questions and guides on how to select the right thicknesses, finishes, and more for your needs.

What is carbon fiber?

Carbon fiber is one of the strongest and most lightweight materials available on the market today.

How do I work with carbon fiber?

Looking for practical information about carbon fiber? Here’s a place to start.

Can carbon fiber be molded?

Thinking about molded parts? We can help with orders in quantity.

What thickness is right for my project?

How thick a piece should you buy? Here are some guidelines to help you decide.

Which finish should I choose?

Choosing a finish can be confusing. We’ll help you narrow down what’s best for your application.

How do I cut carbon fiber?

Thin carbon fiber sheets (up to .5mm) can be cut with scissors or a sharp razor knife.

What adhesive should I use?

Our favorite adhesive is a high performance, high temperature film made by 3M because it’s quick, clean, easy to use and it holds a strong, tight bond.

Can carbon fiber withstand high temperatures?

Our high temperature carbon fiber panels are made with a specially formulated high temperature, high strength epoxy resin.

More questions? We’re here to help.

Here are answers to some of the questions we’re asked most:

What finish should I choose?

Our gloss finish is beautiful but scratches easily. It’s best for an application that will have limited handling. Or you can protect the finish by applying a clearcoat. (See below.) The satin finish will stand up to significant usage without showing scratches.

The semi-gloss finish is our standard finish for thick pieces that require a durable, smooth finish. The matte finish is reserved for industrial applications that require a textured finish. It is not recommended for cosmetic applications.

How can I protect a gloss finish from scratching?

We recommend applying several coats of automotive clear coat to protect your gloss finish from scratching. It’s available at any auto parts store.

Which veneer thickness should I buy?

If your project requires a very bendable piece, you’ll need our thinnest veneer (.25mm). If your surface is flat, either .25mm or .5mm will do the job. It’s just a matter of budget and personal taste.

How do I cut carbon fiber?

Our thin veneers (.25mm and .5mm) can be cut with sharp scissors. All other thicknesses can be cut with a dremel tool.

Can I cut and shape it?

No. The resin in the carbon fiber has already been hardened and cured. Heating will only destabilize the resin, damaging the surface and making it gummy. With that, it can’t be restored and you’ll have an unusable sheet.

Do I need a fabric or laminated sheet?

Purchasing fabric only makes sense if you intend to wrap a shaped piece in carbon fiber and infuse it with resin yourself. It’s a significant project that takes some time and know-how. The vast majority of customers purchase laminated sheets because all the work is done.

Can I buy colored carbon fiber?

In general, no. A few companies are developing ways to dye carbon fiber in muted colors, but it’s uncommon. Industry-wide, most colored material is made from fiberglass or kevlar.

Why do some pieces of carbon fiber have a larger weave than others?

Carbon fiber comes in different fabric weights — 3k and 6k are most common and look very similar. Sometimes companies make carbon fiber panels in a 12k weight for cost savings. It has a larger, thicker weave than 3k or 6k.

How much heat can carbon fiber handle?

It depends entirely on the temperature ratings of the resin used. Our standard resin will withstand temperatures of 180 degrees+. Our high temp resin reaches 400 degrees. Even higher temp resins are available through specialty sources.

Carbon Fiber 101

New to Carbon Fiber? We’ve got you covered.

This comprehensive guide takes you through the ins-and-outs of carbon fiber.