Bonding Carbon Fiber Tube To Aluminum

A quick vacuum followed by more sanding in a few areas that where missed.

Bonding carbon fiber tube to aluminum.

Depending on the intended use of the tubes i recommend reinforcing the outside of the tubing by winding on some kevlar tow with laminating epoxy over the part where the metal is bonded inside the tube. First suggested here in response to an op from me several years ago. Only a small amount of force is required to fully seat the tube. Our large diameter carbon fiber tubes are comprised of rolled bi directional woven carbon fiber.

The simple answer just the exterior ply of material. Make sure that the component slides in straight and is not cocked off center. The aluminum plate sees a fair amount of shock due to the application. Now imagine simply cutting off all of the tubes leaving about an inch or two after the welds.

It is the only adhesive i tried that glues alu alloy to same for applications like a tube telescoped into a tube or a rod telescoped into a tube. It is a 2 x3 aluminum plate bonded inside a carbon fiber square. Joining carbon fiber tubes requires the use of what are known as tube clusters. Our carbon fiber large tubes come with a texture finish on both the inside and outside for easy bonding and painting.

But did try it with a carbon rod telescoped into an alloy tube and it has never flinched. Next up was abrading the carbon fiber with 180 grit sandpaper to add tooth for the epoxy to key into. This tubing is designed for large applications such as telescope projects or light weight drums. Begin pressing the aluminum bondable component into the carbon fiber tube.

What is the difference between the twill carbon fiber tubes and the ud carbon fiber tubes. The easiest way to envision a tube cluster is to simply look at a typical tube frame welded up from aluminum steel or chrome moly tubing. I am having issues bonding an aluminum plate to a carbon fiber structure. In the case of bonding in tubing ends most of the mechanical load will be in directions where the tubing itself will carry most of the load.

Another quick vacuum and acetone wipe down to remove any remaining dust oil and waxes. Unless noted on a specific product all of our carbon fiber tubing is made with ud prepreg on the inside and then will have either the ud exterior ply or a fabric ply. The seperation occurs between both the aluminum plate and the adhesive and the adhesive and carbon fiber.