Carbon fibre is a thin fibrous material that is five times stronger and lighter than steel. Due to its durability and weight, carbon fibre is widely used by automobile manufacturers in vehicles for higher agility. Car body parts made from carbon fibre not only reduce the overall weight of the vehicle but also increase fuel efficiency. Moreover, it also aids in elevating the exterior of the vehicle by providing it with a unique texture.
Let’s take a closer look at carbon fibre car parts’ benefits and their usage in automobiles.
How Carbon Fibre is Used in Cars
To prepare carbon fibre car body parts, carbon filaments are carbonised and converted into a fibre coil. The fibre coil is then mixed with thermosetting plastic to provide it with the required strength. In the last step, the prepared product is arranged in bundles and rolled up to create car body parts.
Generally, carbon fibre car body parts include spoilers, side mirrors, roof, hood, bumper, grille, driveshaft and wheel. Speaking of carbon fibre, do you know an amazing fact about McLaren and carbon fibre usage? McLaren is the first automobile brand to use carbon fibre in 1981. They prepared the whole Formula One monocoque from fibre, which was rare at that time.
Why Carbon Fibre is Used in Cars
Since the 1980s, carbon fibre has been largely adopted by leading automobile brands. Initially, it was only limited to sports and racing cars, but now, it is also used in conventional cars. Currently, carbon fibre wheels are used in EVs to increase their efficiency. That said, here we have listed all the reasons or advantages of carbon fibre in cars.
Higher Durability
Higher durability and strength are one of the core reasons for using carbon fibres in vehicles. The strength-to-density ratio of carbon fibre is higher than any other metal used in vehicle manufacturing. Moreover, carbon fibre is rust-proof which increases its durability more contrary to metal auto parts.
Ideal Weight-to-Speed Ratio
The carbon fibre car parts provide an edge over the metal auto parts, because of their weight-to-speed ratio. The carbon fibre parts are five times lighter than metal and therefore, are ideal for higher agility cars. On average, it can reduce the overall car weight by 60%, which helps cars reach top speed in less time.
Thermal Friendly
Unlike metals, carbon fibre is a poor conductor of heat energy, making it ideal for petrol and diesel engines that produce a lot of heat energy. Lower conductivity makes it easier to manage heat from the engine and also reduces strain on the car cooling system. Alongside this, the lower conductivity also reduces the potential chances of cars catching fire in case of an accident.
Elevate Aesthetics
Car parts like carbon fibre hoods or chassis aid in elevating the overall aesthetics of the car. This is mainly due to the unique texture carbon fibre provides to the exterior. Apart from company-fitted parts, carbon fibre is also commonly used for car wrapping. Several car wrap shops in Dubai and other Emirates can enfold cars in carbon fibre on customer demand.
Cons of Carbon Fibre Car Body Parts
Despite being lighter and more durable than steel, carbon fibre has not replaced metals completely. Here are some cons of carbon fibre body parts which also justifies why it is not still completely adopted by car manufacturers.
- Time and Cost of Production: The process of carbon fibre car parts production is expensive and requires a lot of time to produce.
- Manufacturing Process: The process of manufacturing carbon fibre car body parts is complex and involves complex engineering processes which reduce its feasibility.
- Eco-Friendly: The carbon fibre car body parts are not eco-friendly and are hard to recycle. Therefore, many automobile brands aiming to go eco-friendly are hesitant to use them.
This was all about carbon fibre car parts and their usage in the automobile industry. Despite its cons, carbon fibre is used by leading automobile brands to make their vehicle lighter and more durable. If you are also interested in driving a car with carbon fibre accessories, browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and purchase your car with carbon fibre car parts.
For your convenience, here we have mentioned some cars featuring carbon fibre parts.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s auto blog for more information on carbon fibre electric cars.
Related Posts
