Has anyone glassed with carbon fiber before? I was just reading up on it and was curious as to how much lighter/stronger it is than fiber glass and epoxy. Prices were like $27/yard compared to the normal $3 or $4 for fiber glass. Is it worth it to try out or is it a waste?
Also, what is the difference between s-cloth and e-cloth? Has anyone used s-cloth? Are there any major shapers that use s-cloth?
I’ve shaped a couple boards so far, but only have glassed one myself and was thinking to try it again, but this time with carbon fiber or this s-cloth. Just wanted everyone’s input. It’ll probably be on a 6’1" thruster. Thanks!
I haven’t glassed carbon/kevlar myself but I’ve heard it’s hard to work with due to it’s stiffness and hardness to sand. Plus I think an all black surfboard just looks plain awful.
If you use a high modulus surfboard epoxy resin you can achieve a 10 fold increase in the tension and compression strength and stiffness of the glass layer.
For a variety of reasons this does not make the surfboard 10 times stronger.
Carbon fiber has been used well in several non-traditional surfboard construction techniques (hollow, sandwich), but has found ALMOST no use in traditional core/foam/stringer layups.
If you use it with polyester resin it is simply a new look and same strength as glass.
It can also be used to stiffen fins (again, use a high modulus epoxy)…
As you can read from other responses, carbon fiber will not do much for you. It is great stuff if making a stiff sailboard in vacuum bag composite but that’s about it.
Surfera, Where are you finding carbon for 27$ a yard ? what width is that? We’ve been doing some carbon 8’ boards, we like the durability but it is hard to laminate and isn’t any lighter by our clumsy methods. John C.
I use it in specific places under composite skins where it is hidden. A couple of stripes along the length of a board, just inside the rails, will really stiffen it up. A round patch under the skin right in the middle of a longboard gives tremendous protection from the inevitable dents of knee-paddling. Small pieces where your finboxes will go give a stronger installation in soft EPS.
You do have to do it along with glass to get the real composite benefits. And using too much is needlessly expensive. But in a few strategic spots, I find it to be worthwhile.