Carbon fiber is one of the most explosive industries right now, with new applications being sought out and designed everyday. The use of carbon fiber in Formula 1 cars had its roots in racing since the early 1980s. Before then all Formula 1 cars were made out of the same materials that the typical road cars were made from, such as steel or aluminum. At the end of the 1970s, some of the best engineers from Formula 1 came together to revolutionize the racing industry. Within a couple years they introduced the first cars to use carbon composite in their chassis. Today, we use carbon fiber more in the racing industry than ever before to make everything from chassis components, aero parts and even wheels.
In order for carbon fiber to be at its strongest state for Formula 1, a perfect blend of resin, carbon and other composite materials must be used. But how are all these carbon fiber Forumla 1 racing aero product made, used and leveraged to make each car so strong, lightweight and efficient? Watch the short video below to get an inside glimpse of how these “hyper racecars” are built.
If you want some more information about the history of carbon fiber and its roots in racing shoot us an email at info@rwcarbon.com, or check out our site and see what kind of carbon fiber aero parts and accessories we have in store for your vehicle. www.rwcarbon.com
Technical Side of Carbon Fiber and Formula 1 Racing
For those carbon fiber enthusiasts who crave the technical information, this is for you. In order to build the most rigid and lightweight cockpit and chassis possible, F1 engineers have designed a special mix of composites which include using carbon fiber, a pre-impregnated epoxy resin and an aluminium honeycomb layer, which is then sandwiched between two layers of carbon fiber.
Because the chassis is the largest and more intricate part of an F1 car, it is built first. The chassis is usually comprised of 8 panels. Each panel is then cut using a computer and some of the most sophisticated cutting tools available. Each panel is constructed using 10, that right 10 layers of the pre-impregnated (with resin) carbon fiber. The molds for these panels take several steps including vacuum treatments and heating processes.
Once the panels are created, then the actual construction takes place. Each re-cut cut panel has its own piece in the puzzle. Once the outer shell is pieced together and secured, the chassis goes through a a curing process. This exposes the carbon fiber to a number of pressures and temperatures which helps to bond every layer and make the structure stronger than steel and lighter than titanium.
Once the outer skin has been cured and cooled down, a honey comb layer of aluminium is fixed onto the outer skin by a sheet of resin to ensure the materials stick strongly together. Once applied the chassis will go back to be cured. Once finished the chassis then undergoes one last step and that is another layer of of pre-impregnated carbon fiber and its last curing process. When finished this chassis can withstand some of the highest road speeds, G-Forces and impacts known to man.
If you want some more information about the history of carbon fiber and its roots in racing shoot us an email at info@rwcarbon.com, or check out our site and see what kind of carbon fiber aero parts and accessories we have in store for your vehicle. www.rwcarbon.com