Searching for high quality carbon fiber sheets can be challenging, as there is a wide range of options. Having to choose between different fabrics, patterns and textures can get confusing. If this sounds familiar to you, this article has got you covered.
1x1 Carbon Fiber Pattern
Also known as plain weave, this pattern resembles a math notebook. The over-under weave is a standard fabric pattern. Its quality might not be the strongest, but it is the easiest to handle. While other weaves are quicker to fall apart, the fibers of this pattern hold together efficiently.
It is the tightest weave pattern.
2x2 Twill Weave Carbon Fiber Pattern
This pattern looks more modern than 1×1 plain pattern. Got quite unique look. It represents the diagonals that are synchronized. Is braid over-over-under-under. Most popular pattern that many carbon fiber factories use to make details. 2×2 Twill is mostly used in imitations also. This pattern is elastic and it is good for use with complex shapes because its weave is looser.
This pattern is elastic and it is good for use with complex shapes because its weave is looser.
4 Harness-Satin Carbon Fiber Pattern
This pattern resembles a brick wall. Supposedly one of the strongest structural weaves. 4HS = 4 over 1.
This pattern resembles a brick wall.
5 Harness-Satin Carbon Fiber Pattern
5 Harness-Satin Carbon Fiber Pattern
Brotherto 4HS. A Harness-Satin pattern usually has more weaves per inch than a plain or twill weave (defined as “pics”). With its higher pic count, it will hold together better than a twill weave. Nevertheless, it should be handled carefully. 5HS = 5 over 1
Nevertheless. 5HS = 5 over 1
8 Harness-Satin Carbon Fiber Pattern
Relative to 5HS. This original looking pattern resembles long rice grains. Should be handled carefully, as the weave is easy to fall apart. 8 Harness-Satin is the best choice for complex curves. 8HS = 8 over 1
Best choice for complex curves. 8HS = 8 over 1
4x4 Twill Weave Carbon Fiber Pattern
Quite fancy pattern, but not the fanciest. Pattern reminds arrows heads or tractor traces. Is not so prevalent pattern in the carbon fiber sheet market. 4X4 twill will bend around curves better than a 2X2 twill weave.
4X4 twill will bend around curves better than a 2X2 twill weave.
Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Pattern
Well… This reminds a brunette girl hair. But can we say that this is a weave? Depends on viewer artistic talent. Is used in applications where almost all of the forces exerted on the object come form one axis (up and down, left and right, front and rear).
This reminds a brunette girl hair
These were the most common patterns in the carbon fiber world.
There are a variety of weaves which differ in durability and looks. The strength of a pattern depends on the direction of distributed strands, the way they are laid and molded. The looser the fabric, the more likely it will fray at the edges and create porosity in fabric, when bent around complex curves. Nevertheless a looser fabric is easier to fit around complex curves than a tighter weave fabric.
Triaxial Balanced Carbon Fiber Pattern
At first glance this might look the same as 2×2 Twill weave, but it’s pattern is actually different. The number of fiber directions vary from two to three. Changing the orientation of the fibers from orthogonal to 60 degrees increases damage tolerance and improves energy absorption. The weave construction is ‘two over, two under’, alternating over and under the axial yarns. Applied for composite reinforcement in aerospace, engineering, sports equipment and automotive racing.
There are many triaxial patterns. The following list will give an overview of its fundamentals.
* Triaxial weaving is part of the traditional craft of basketry. Its usage dates back to around 5,700 BC in Japan.
* Triaxial weaving produces a material that is structurally superior to many sorts of rectangular weaving. Since the structural elements run in three directions, the fabric is resistant to shearing forces and doesn’t crimp easily.
* Triaxial fabrics qualities include: good strain resistance, planar shear resistance, tear resistance, abrasion resistance and bursting resistance.
Which applications are suitable for triaxial techniques?
The main selling points of triaxial weaving are:
1) Light weight;
2) Low material cost;
3) Isotropy;
4) Shear-resistance.
Triaxial patterns are not very common, which makes them hard to obtain.
Next let’s have a glance at some rare patterns.
1K x 3K Plain Weave Carbon Fiber Pattern
Unique plain weave. With a 3K warp and a 1K fill its loose weave is highly formable and wets out easily. Is is used to add selective directional reinforcement to applications without adding considerable weight.
A Jacquard Weave Carbon Fiber Pattern
Ifyou have been to Estonian Song Festival then you probably have seen historic folk clothing. You can see in Estonian Song Festival the same pattern in wool skirts, belts and men waistcoat. This pattern is actually mostly the same as the 1×1 Plain weave.
D Jacquard Weave Carbon Fiber Pattern
If you are producing carbon fiber violins or cellos then this pattern can be just for you. Until you use it just for the cosmetic looks.
Aquarius Carbon Fiber Pattern
Well in this point we can have a question in our heads that how far can we go with patterns? This pattern is suitable for Russian carbon fiber accordion cosmetic looks.
Constellation Carbon Fiber Pattern
It looks like this pattern has used the unidirectional carbon fiber (black squares) but not quite sure. It can be quite good pattern because it looks like it is trixtial pattern.
Galaxy Carbon Fiber Pattern
This pattern reminds videos that depict LSD effect. Why this pattern can be better than others? Well… here we can talk more about art and cup of teas. Its more just to cosmetic looks.
Rook Carbon Fiber Pattern
This pattern reminds videos that depict LSD effect. Why this pattern can be better than others? Well… here we can talk more about art and cup of teas. Its more just to cosmetic looks.
Atomic Carbon Fiber Pattern
The atomic pattern is really defined diamonds within diamonds within diamonds. Mostly like to see this one laminated with believing it would really pop between the differences in contrast with light shifts.
Grandmaster Carbon Fiber Pattern
From an aesthetic appearance, the Grandmaster is quite huge, but also the one that’s not exactly new or unique. The best way to describe the Grandmaster is by picturing a normal plain weave and zooming it in. Essentially, it’s a regular piece of carbon fiber with a really large weave, making for an extraordinary look. The dry fabric is fairly stiff so it will be a little harder to work with, but the effort should be worth the results.
Wasp Carbon Fiber Pattern
TheWasp pattern is like taking a mixture of twill and plain weave, and then putting a honeycomb pattern within those. The pattern comes off as almost a reptile skin which would be an interesting look for the application you’re using it on.
Roswell Carbon Fiber Pattern
At certain angles this patterns almost looks like little spaceships… or hamburgers, which fits the Roswell name well. There is a mixture of different shapes, patterns and angles, giving an extremely unique and different look that is sure to stand out amongst the crowd.
Labyrinth Carbon Fiber Pattern
The labyrinth is definitely the “funkiest” off the patterns with an almost chaotic pattern that has definition. This pattern seems to be the lightest fabric of the bunch, most likely making it the easiest to work with when conforming to curves.
Crazy, odd and fancy patterns.
There are many more patterns, imagination is the limit. Nowadays it is easy to see trends everywhere. Can we say that carbon fiber cloth manufacturers have gone crazy and are a part of a fop? Not exactly. Starting a carbon fiber cloth factory can be challenging. To attract customers you need a variety of options:
1) Classic patterns (the standard)
2) “Something more” patterns (the ones that add value and variety)
3) “Wow” effect patterns (something that the world has not seen before)
The effect patterns are usually directed to innovators. As far as taste and style goes, it is hard to pick which patterns are finest. Use your creative vision to find the best match.
