Carbon fiber fabrication

[elevator joe]

Does anyone have experience repairing carbon fiber? Is it similar to fiberglass? I would like to try to repair a composite hockey stick before it's too late. New sticks are 150$ to 200$ a pop so i figure maybe i can extend the inevidible for a little whileand save a few $$. It may not be worth the trouble,but id be willing to give it a shot. Thanks in advance
joe

 

[t100]

in theory, yes. but it's more complicated. first what type of damage is it? some are not repairable.

it needs resin+hardener similar to the parent material used, carbon woven similar to the parent material used, wax, a buck(or "mold") so you can apply a lot of pressure and vacuum. it doesn't like to cure while exposed to air, specially moisture in the air.

!!!!! be very careful with the chemicals!!!!!

I'm ok with them but I know couple guys are very allergic to the resin, it can be deadly.

 

[Sneaux]

From what I understand it is a lot like fiberglass. Check out http://www.fiberglassforums.com/ they have a carbon fiber section

 

[Hammer1963]

You may be able to use a product made for Auto body repair of Carbon Fiber parts. I personally prefer a product supplied/manufactured by Valvoline/Ashland Corp. Very good material and is approved by most OEM Auto companies for Carbon Fiber repairs. Duramix is another popular product. The cloth is very similar to Fiber Glass. As stated, be extremely careful and wear respirator and disposable gloves. Most of the repair materials respond to heat curing

 

[ZRX61]

!!!!! be very careful with the chemicals!!!!!

I'm ok with them but I know couple guys are very allergic to the resin, it can be deadly.

Ditto for splinters, if they get in your bloodstream they can kill you.

 

[Aaron8x608]

It is similar to fiberglass in process. It would be possible to make it look better than it does now, but in the manufacturing process they cure it under heat and vacuum which are ideal, you probably cannot achieve that. Think of it as a patch. I'm no expert but I have used it when laying up wood and epoxy/CF drums.

 

[hunter1151]

I would bet by the time you buy all the stuff you need you will have more in it then just going and buying a new one. Not to mention the purpose of the carbon fiber is light and strong, getting back to that with a repair is difficult. Not trying to discourage you just have been down that road before.

 

[mathil]

To make a repair to a hockey stick that would have ANY effect you'd most likely have to vacuum bag the part which would take a tool cost much higher than the new stick.

Having said that, a vacuum bagged or infused repair STILL wouldn't live up to the rigors of a hockey sticks life. It might last years, it might last until the first slapshot. Carbon sticks are great, but their downfall is their price. It's simply not worth it to try to repair a break.

If you want to do a repair that has a chance of living a long life then cut it in 2 at the break and add an aluminum sleeve inside the existing stick before you carbon over it. This will just create a stress riser elsewhere along a flexible stick (worst situation) but it might last a while. By the time you find a rectangular tube that fits, or create one, buy the carbon, epoxy, laminating supplies etc you'll far exceed the price of buying a new stick and you'll be left with a far inferior product.

 

[Jazz]

It is unlikely that you will be able to make this repair since the original material is fractured and it is precisely the continuity of the original strands that gives the stick it's strength. The repaired section wouldn't bond very well to the original piece and it would remain a weak point.

If if was an automotive repair and not a highly shock loaded item like a hockey stick I'd say go ahead. This isn't a simple cosmetic piece however. It's also important to note that automotive structural parts made from carbon fiber that fail are replaced and never ever are the attempted to be repaired.

 

[IndyGarage]

It's almost exactly like fiberglass - but instead of glass fiber matting or cloth, they use carbon fiber weave.
Like fiberglass, it can be made with either polyester or epoxy resin. Epoxy is much stronger and more expensive.

I wouldn't hesitate to try to repair the stick, but your success probably depends on where the damage is. if it's just a big gouge or a scuffed off edge, then you might even be able to get by with just fiberglass for the the repair.

If it's in the structural area - you're going to have to sand down the surrounding areas and add new layers of carbon fiber or fiberglass then use something to squeeze them down tight over the existing material - a wrapping of thin wire or very heavy duty tape can do it.

You'll probably end up with a heavier stick in the end, but I bet you can fix it.

 

[trainer]

Ask at a local pro shop There are places that will repair a broken stick.

 

[Rezarf]

I'd go for epoxy for the repair. Sadly, once the grain stucture of the actual fibers is disrupted most of CF high tech properties go out the window.

I do work with the stuff often... though mostly in non-structure applications. It is glows like man jewlery