Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-12-15 Origin: Site
Carbon fiber fabric is one of the most widely used reinforcement materials in modern composites. If you want to fabricate lightweight, high-strength composite parts for marine, automotive, sports, industrial, or aerospace applications, understanding how to fabricate with carbon fiber fabric is essential—even if you are starting from zero experience.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn the full fabrication workflow, step-by-step instructions, materials selection, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for achieving high-quality results. JLON Composite provides a wide range of carbon fiber fabrics compatible with various fabrication methods, ensuring consistent and reliable outcomes.
Carbon fiber fabric is a textile reinforcement made from carbon fiber strands (tows) that are woven, stitched, or laid in specific patterns. Unlike finished carbon fiber parts, carbon fiber fabric is a semi-finished material, meaning it must be combined with a resin system to create a strong and functional composite component.
Even small details matter: heavier fabrics give more strength but are harder to handle, while lighter fabrics are easier to conform to curves but may need more layers for the same strength.
Carbon fiber fabric (select weight and weave based on part requirements)
Epoxy, polyester, or vinyl ester resin
Release agent or mold release wax
Peel ply, release film, and breather fabric (for vacuum bagging)
Mold or flat tooling surface
Brushes or rollers for resin application
Scissors or rotary cutter
Vacuum pump and vacuum bag (optional but recommended)
Protective gloves, mask, and safety goggles
For beginners: start with plain weave 200–300g/m² fabrics. Easy to handle and forgiving.
For high strength parts: use UD or multiaxial fabrics, combined with appropriate resin.
Resin choice: epoxy is versatile, polyester is cheaper, vinyl ester offers chemical resistance.
This section is written for beginners, explaining not just the steps but also why each step is important.
Clean the mold with alcohol or mild detergent.
Apply a thin, even coat of release agent or wax.
Why: Without proper release, cured parts may stick and be damaged.
Pro Tip: For complex molds, use a soft brush to get release agent into corners.
Measure the part and cut fabric with scissors or rotary cutter.
Leave 10–20 mm extra at edges for trimming.
Align fibers correctly, especially for UD fabrics.
Common Mistakes: Cutting without checking fiber direction reduces part strength. Overstretching fibers while cutting can warp the layer.
Place fabric layers carefully, one at a time.
Smooth out wrinkles with hands or a soft roller.
Ensure layers are in proper alignment.
Beginner Tip: Start with 2–4 layers; practice makes handling easier. Think of laying fabric like laying sheets on a bed—keep it smooth and flat.
Use a brush or roller to apply resin evenly across each layer.
Ensure the fabric changes from a matte gray to a shiny black, indicating full wet-out.
Dos and Don'ts:
Do check each layer for dry spots.
Don’t apply excessive resin; it adds weight and can reduce performance.
Roll gently to remove air bubbles.
Optional: Place in vacuum bag for even pressure and better fiber-resin ratio.
Follow resin curing instructions for temperature and time.
Tip: Moving the part during curing can create defects.
Beginner Advice: Using a vacuum bag greatly improves quality even for first-time users.
After complete curing, carefully remove the part from the mold.
Trim edges with scissors or a cutting tool.
Sand or polish surfaces as needed.
Pro Tip: Keep a small amount of peel ply during curing; removing it leaves a smoother surface.
Air Bubbles: Roll or brush gently, use vacuum bagging.
Dry Spots: Ensure full resin wet-out of each layer.
Wrinkles: Lay fabric carefully, smooth as you go.
Misaligned Fibers: Always double-check fiber orientation, especially for UD fabrics.
Material quality is key. Partnering with JLON Composite ensures:
Consistent, high-quality fabrics
Wide range of weaves, weights, and specifications
Compatibility with all common fabrication methods
Technical guidance for beginners and advanced users
Now you understand how to fabricate with carbon fiber fabric from start to finish. By following these steps, avoiding common mistakes, and using high-quality fabrics from JLON Composite, you can produce strong, lightweight, and durable composite parts, even if you are a beginner.
Start your next project with JLON Composite and take advantage of professional carbon fiber fabric solutions tailored to your needs.
