About Carbon Fibre

Carbon fibre, alternatively graphite fibre, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of extremely thin fibres about 0.005 – 0.010 mm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms.

The carbon atoms are bonded together in microscopic crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fibre. The crystal alignment makes the fibre very strong for its size. Several thousand carbon fibres are twisted together to form a yarn, which may be used by itself (roving) or woven into a fabric.

Carbon fibre has many different weave patterns and can be combined with a plastic resin and wound or molded to form composite materials such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic (also referenced as carbon fibre) to provide a high strength-to-weight ratio material.

For boat building this can be an extremely useful too. The below table gives a list of common boat building materials and then makes a weight comparison with carbon fibre: The numbers below show just how much weight can be saved. In real terms this equates to the following savings: (allowing for a lightweight interior)

These numbers apply to a 30M - 35M vessel:

 

At 30 knots and above: 20% fuel economy.

At 10 knots: 30% fuel economy.

We have also assisted in the developement, in co-operation with our partners, a number of "low flame spread" resins which can acheive similar flame charactaristics to aluminium or better.

Another aspect that is very interesting for military craft, is the relatively low radar signature of carbon fibre vessels.

Bullet proof structures are also available on demand.

For more detailed information on any of the above please use the contact us page.