Source for carbon fiber rings?

[Rktman]

Anyone know where I can buy carbon fiber rings, in diameters of 10" down to about 8"? Online searches haven't turned up any U.S. sources (other than mega expensive mast poles for sailing ships).

 

[n27sb]

Are you talking about short sections of tubing.

 

[dhbarr]

Try PML for offcuts, they also make telescopes on the other side of the house.

 

[Rktman]

Are you talking about short sections of tubing.

Yes. Like 4" or 5" sections.

 

[Rktman]

Try PML for offcuts, they also make telescopes on the other side of the house.

Thanks, great stuff but unfortunately way out of my affordability range.

 

[BABAR]

You doing another RingHawk?

 

[dhbarr]

Thanks, great stuff but unfortunately way out of my affordability range.

I'm saying ask if maybe they have scraps to ship

 

[Rktman]

You doing another RingHawk?

Nope, a couple of tube fin rockets and possibly a glider thing.

 

[BABAR]

Pringles cans and Quaker oatmeal boxes may work. You have to scuff the inside of the pringles cans, they come with an unfortunately effective anti stick internal surface.

 

[Rktman]

I'm saying ask if maybe they have scraps to ship

Shot them email. Who knows, I could get lucky.

 

[Rktman]

PML had 2 nice pieces of scrap. Sadly $125 for a 4" and 5" section of tube was a bit too much of a budget stretch to justify.

 

[BABAR]

Okay, ignorance is bliss, so maybe this is dumb.

How heavy would a layer of carbon fiber cloth with resin be if you wrapped it around an 8” mandrel? Since the answer is likely, “as heavy as you WANT it to be,” maybe the question is better put, “how LIGHT could you make it and still have it stiff and strong enough to function as a fin or other structural part?”

Sort of the Cheech and Chong roll your own approach.

 

[BABAR]

Incidentally, since you have demonstrated mastery of balsa bending, what’s the push to go the carbon fiber route?

Strength?

Flame resistance?

Could you make if from balsa and reinforce it with fiberglass?

 

[Rktman]

Incidentally, since you have demonstrated mastery of balsa bending, what’s the push to go the carbon fiber route?

Strength?

Flame resistance?

Could you make if from balsa and reinforce it with fiberglass?

I may have to give up on finding suitable, affordable carbon fiber rings. The main reason for carbon fiber was light weight and strength. I'd rather not mess with fiberglass or laying up my own carbon fiber rings with resin. I lack any sort of experience working with carbon or fiberglass and I'd rather not be stuck with a whole bunch of resin and catalyst and whatever else I'd need to work with them.

 

[Rktman]

Question: how would 8" and 10" diameter phenolic tubing both 4" long compare in weight and strength to carbon fiber of the same dimensions?

Would they tear off if attached along only one side to a body tube or possibly to a fuselage stick?