Hybrid Fabric
Hybrid fabrics made of carbon and aramid – High-performance fibers for composite applications
What unique properties do hybrid fabrics made of carbon and aramid offer?
Hybrid fabrics made of carbon and aramid provide a synergistic combination of the best mechanical properties of both fiber types. Carbon fibers deliver exceptionally high stiffness and compressive strength, ensuring the production of dimensionally stable and lightweight structures. Aramid fibers, on the other hand, stand out due to their superior impact resistance, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and energy absorption capacity. The choice of weave structure—whether plain weave for enhanced stability or twill weave for improved drapeability—allows for precise adaptation to specific composite requirements.
What are the advantages of hybrid fabrics over single-fiber materials?
Pure carbon fabric offers excellent stiffness but can be brittle, while aramid fabric provides outstanding impact resistance and tensile strength but lacks compressive strength. Hybrid fabrics combine these characteristics, creating a high-performance composite material that is lighter than fiberglass (GFRP) and more impact-resistant than pure CFRP structures. This results in material savings while maintaining or even improving mechanical performance. Compared to aluminum, they enable a significant weight reduction while maintaining the same or even superior strength.
Where are hybrid fabrics made of carbon and aramid used?
These hybrid reinforcement fibers are essential in aerospace, motorsports, ship and boat building, model making, and sports equipment manufacturing. They are used in high-strength CFRP components, ensuring an optimal balance between weight, strength, and energy absorption. In the composite sector, they are chosen for high-performance applications where conventional materials such as aluminum or fiberglass are insufficient.
How does the weave structure influence mechanical properties?
The choice between plain weave and twill weave directly impacts the processing and mechanical properties of hybrid fabrics. Plain weaves provide excellent dimensional stability and prevent fraying at the edges, making them ideal for structural applications. Twill weaves, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility and drapeability, facilitating the manufacturing of complex CFRP structures. This enables the production of composite components with optimized mechanical properties, tailored to specific load requirements.