Everything About Carbon Fiber Tubes

(1)What are Carbon Fiber Tubes?

1. Definition and Basic Characteristics

Carbon fiber tube, also known as carbon fiber tube or carbon tube, is a new composite material product made of carbon fiber composite material prepreg styrene-based polyester resin, and through heating, curing and pultrusion (or winding) process. The following is a detailed description of the definition and basic characteristics of carbon fiber tubes:

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  Definition

• Carbon fiber tube with high performance carbon fiber and its fabric as the main raw materials, through advanced bonding technology and scientific production process processing. It combines the high strength characteristics of carbon fiber and the molding ability of resin to form a composite material pipe with excellent properties.
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  Basic characteristics

• High tensile strength:

• The strength of carbon fiber is significantly higher than that of steel, and its tensile strength can reach 6-12 times that of steel, or even more than 3000MPa. This high strength characteristic makes carbon fiber tubes perform well when subjected to high stress loads.

• Low density and light weight:

• The density of carbon fiber is much lower than that of steel, only about 1/4 of that of steel. Therefore, carbon fiber tubes have extremely low density and extremely light weight, which is particularly important for application scenarios that require weight reduction (such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing, etc.).

• Corrosion and high temperature resistance:

• Carbon fiber tubes have good corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance, and can maintain stable performance under harsh environmental conditions. This makes it widely used in chemical engineering, ocean engineering and other fields.

• Excellent dimensional stability:

• The carbon fiber tube has stable dimensional characteristics and is not easy to deform due to temperature changes or humidity changes. This is important for applications where accurate size and shape need to be maintained, such as precision machinery, optical instruments, etc.

• Good electrical and thermal conductivity:

• Although carbon fiber tubes have electrical conductivity, this property can be effectively utilized in certain application scenarios (such as electromagnetic shielding, thermal management, etc.). At the same time, its thermal conductivity also contributes to efficient heat transfer and heat dissipation.

• Processing flexibility:

• In the production process, various specifications of carbon fiber pipes (such as round pipes, square pipes, etc.) can be produced through different molds, and the surface coating can be processed according to needs. This processing flexibility allows carbon fiber tubes to meet the needs of diverse applications.

• Self-lubrication and shock resistance:

• Carbon fiber tube also has certain self-lubricating performance and seismic performance, which helps to reduce friction loss and improve the seismic capacity of the structure.

In summary, carbon fiber tube has been widely concerned and applied in many fields because of its excellent physical properties and wide application prospects. With the continuous progress of material science and processing technology, the performance and application range of carbon fiber tubes will continue to expand and improve.

Carbon Fiber Tubes Description
Material	full carbon fiber tube carbon glass tube Kevlar carbon tube
Size	Out diameter*Inner diameter5*3/6*4/7*5/8*6/10*8/10*9/12*10/16*14 16*15/18*16/19*17/20*1820*16/21.5*19.5/21.5*20/22*2025*23.5/25*23 24*22/26*24/27*2528*26/28*24/29*25/30*26/30*28 etc.
Wall thickness	0.5mm/0.75mm/1.0mm/1.5mm/2.0mm etc.
Length	1000mm/800mm/750mm/600mm/550mm/500mm/400mm/250mm/150mm etc.
Lines	3K twill /3K plain
Surface	Glossy/Matte
Tolerance	±0.1mm
Stocks	we do stocks for twill matte tubesother customized plates are ok for us.

Carbon Fiber Tube Size(OD*ID) Metric(mm)
5x3mm	20x18mm	28x26mm	40x36mm
6x4mm	20x16mm	28x24mm	40x38mm
7x5mm	21.5×19.5mm	29x25mm	42x40mm
8x6mm	21.5x20mm	30x26mm	25x19mm
10x8mm	22x20mm	30x27mm	19x13mm
10x9mm	25×23.5mm	30x28mm	50x38mm
12x10mm	25x23mm	31x28mm	50x48mm
16x14mm	24x22mm	35x33mm	60x57mm
16x15mm	26x24mm	35x28mmx1550mm	70x58mm
18x16mm	27x25mm	36x34mm
19x17mm	27x25mm	38x36mm

 

Comparison with Other Materials

Carbon fiber tubes can be compared with other materials from multiple dimensions, including weight, strength, corrosion resistance, processability, and application areas. The following is a comparative analysis of carbon fiber pipes and several common materials (steel pipe, aluminum alloy pipe, glass fiber pipe, plastic, rubber) :

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  Comparison between carbon fiber pipe and steel pipe

• Weight: The density of carbon fiber pipes is much lower than that of steel pipes, usually only about 1/4 of steel pipes, so in the same volume, carbon fiber pipes are much lighter. This lightweight property makes carbon fiber tubes a significant advantage in situations where weight reduction is required.
• Strength: The tensile strength of carbon fiber tubes is much higher than that of ordinary steel, about 5-9 times that of steel. This means that at the same weight, carbon fiber tubes can withstand greater loads and have higher specific strength.
• Corrosion resistance: Carbon fiber pipes have good corrosion resistance and can maintain stable performance under harsh environmental conditions, while steel pipes need anti-corrosion treatment.
• Processing performance: The processing performance of carbon fiber pipes is relatively complex and requires special processes and equipment, while steel pipes are relatively easy to process.
• Applications: Carbon fiber tubes are widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, sports equipment and other fields, while steel pipes are more used in construction, manufacturing and infrastructure and other fields.
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  Comparison between carbon fiber tube and aluminum alloy tube

• Weight: Carbon fiber tubes are lighter than aluminum alloy tubes, although both are relatively light, but the weight reduction effect of carbon fiber tubes is more obvious.
• Strength: The tensile strength of carbon fiber tubes is also higher than that of aluminum alloy tubes, making carbon fiber tubes more advantageous when subjected to high stress loads.
• Corrosion resistance: Both carbon fiber tubes and aluminum alloy tubes have some corrosion resistance, but carbon fiber tubes usually do not require additional anti-corrosion treatment.
• Processing performance: The processing performance of carbon fiber tubes and aluminum alloy tubes is relatively good, but carbon fiber tubes require special processes and equipment.
• Applications: Carbon fiber tubes are more common in applications requiring extremely high strength and lightweight (such as aerospace), while aluminum alloy tubes are widely used in aerospace, automotive, construction and other fields.
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  Comparison between carbon fiber tube and glass fiber tube

• Weight: Carbon fiber tubes are less dense than fiberglass tubes and therefore lighter.
• Strength: The tensile strength and elastic modulus of carbon fiber tube are significantly higher than that of glass fiber tube, with higher specific strength and specific modulus.
• Corrosion resistance: Both have some corrosion resistance, but carbon fiber tubes usually perform better.
• Processing performance: The processing performance of carbon fiber pipe and glass fiber pipe is relatively good, but the specific process and equipment may be different.
• Applications: Carbon fiber tubes are more common in applications requiring higher strength and stiffness (such as aerospace, high-end sports equipment), while glass fiber tubes are widely used in construction, chemical, transportation and other fields.
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  Comparison between carbon fiber tube and plastic

• Weight: While the plastic itself is lighter, carbon fiber tubes are generally lighter for the same volume.
• Strength: The strength of carbon fiber tubes is much higher than that of ordinary plastics and can withstand greater loads.
• Corrosion resistance: Carbon fiber tubes and certain high-performance plastics have good corrosion resistance.
• Processing performance: The processing performance of plastics is usually better, easy to form and process; Carbon fiber tubes require special processes and equipment to process.
• Application fields: Carbon fiber tubes are more suitable for high-end fields that require high strength and lightweight (such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing), while plastics are widely used in many fields such as home appliances, electronics, packaging and so on.
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  Comparison between carbon fiber tube and rubber

• Material composition: Rubber is a high elasticity, soft, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant polymer; Carbon fiber is a high-performance material composed of high-strength carbon fiber filament and resin matrix.
• Physical properties: rubber is easy to harden and crack at low temperature; Carbon fiber has excellent heat resistance, fatigue resistance and stability.
• Applications: Rubber is widely used in automotive tires, pipeline seals, vibration isolators and other fields; The carbon fiber tube is mainly used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, sports equipment and other occasions with high material performance requirements.

To sum up, carbon fiber tubes have significant advantages over other materials, especially in terms of lightweight, high strength and corrosion resistance. However, different materials have their own characteristics and application fields, and it is necessary to select suitable materials according to specific needs in practical applications.

3. Benefits of Using Carbon Fiber Tubes

The use of carbon fiber tubes has many significant advantages, which make carbon fiber tubes widely used in many fields. The following is a detailed explanation of the use benefits of carbon fiber tubes:

• Light weight and high strength

• High strength: The strength of carbon fiber tubes is very high, and its tensile strength can reach 6-12 times that of steel, or even more than 3000MPa. This high strength characteristic makes carbon fiber tubes perform well under high stress loads and can replace heavier and bulkier traditional materials.
• Low density: Compared with metal materials, the density of carbon fiber tubes is extremely low, usually only about 1/4 of steel. Therefore, carbon fiber tubes achieve significant lightweight effects while maintaining high strength, helping to reduce the weight of the overall structure, improve energy efficiency and reduce transportation costs.

• Good corrosion resistance

• Carbon fiber tubes have excellent corrosion resistance and can maintain stable performance under harsh environmental conditions such as acid, alkali and salt. In contrast, metal pipes are susceptible to corrosion in certain environments and require anti-corrosion treatment. This characteristic of carbon fiber tube makes it have a wide application prospect in chemical industry, ocean engineering and other fields.

• Good thermal stability

• Carbon fiber tube has good thermal stability and can maintain stable performance over a wide temperature range. The linear expansion coefficient of the thermal expansion and cold contraction phenomenon is low, and it is not easy to creep, which can better ensure the accuracy of the pipe fitting. This makes carbon fiber tube has important application value in high temperature industry, thermal management system and other fields.

• Strong design flexibility

• The design flexibility of carbon fiber tubes is very high, and various shapes and sizes can be customized by winding, rolling, molding and other processes. This design flexibility allows carbon fiber tubes to meet a variety of complex structures and special requirements of the application scenario, such as mechanical arms, roller shafts, space telescope tubes, etc.

• High fatigue resistance

• Carbon fiber tube has excellent fatigue resistance and can maintain stable performance under long-term alternating load. This feature makes carbon fiber tubes a significant advantage in applications that require high durability and reliability, such as helicopter blades, automotive chassis structures, etc.

• Good shock absorption effect

• The carbon fibers inside the carbon fiber products are evenly distributed, the structure is stable, and the energy can be dispersed well when encountering pressure or vibration, and the shock absorption effect is good. This characteristic makes the carbon fiber tube have important application value in the occasions that need shock absorption, such as audio equipment, sports equipment and so on.

• Wide range of applications

• Because carbon fiber tubes have many of the above excellent properties, their application fields are very wide. In the aerospace field, carbon fiber tubes can be used to manufacture aircraft components, rocket bodies, etc. In the automotive industry, carbon fiber tubes can be used to manufacture body parts, chassis structures, etc. In the field of sports equipment, carbon fiber tubes can be used to manufacture golf clubs, bicycle frames, etc. In addition, it is also widely used in construction engineering, textile machinery, papermaking machinery and other fields.

 

In summary, the use of carbon fiber tubes can bring significant advantages such as lightweight, high strength, corrosion resistance, thermal stability, flexible design, fatigue resistance and good shock absorption effect. These advantages make carbon fiber tubes an indispensable material in many fields.

(2) History and Development of Carbon Fiber Tubes

Early Beginnings of Carbon Fiber

The early beginnings of carbon fiber can be traced back to the late 19th century, with its development journey filled with scientific exploration and technological innovation. Initially, Joseph Wilson Swan, a British inventor, attempted to produce carbon filaments from long, thin strips of paper for incandescent light bulbs, although their lifespan was not long, this marked the first exploration of applying carbon fiber in practical products. Subsequently, Thomas Alva Edison, an American inventor, improved upon this invention by using natural fibers to create carbon filaments for incandescent light bulbs and obtained a patent. However, due to the limited performance of carbon fiber at that time, its fragility and poor practicality, research and application of carbon fiber did not gain widespread development in the subsequent decades.

Entering the 20th century, with the commercial production of synthetic fibers and chemical fibers, carbon fiber technology entered an era of “reinvention.” These new materials provided more possibilities for the preparation of carbon fiber and laid an important foundation for the development of high-performance carbon fiber. Especially in the 1950s, in order to develop large rockets and satellites and improve the performance of aircraft, the United States began to focus on the application potential of carbon fiber in high-end fields such as aerospace, and successfully produced low-modulus rayon-based carbon fiber. At the same time, Japanese scientists also invented a new method of manufacturing carbon fiber using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers, which greatly promoted the development of the carbon fiber industry.

With the maturation and commercial production of PAN-based carbon fiber technology, its applications in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and other fields became more widespread. In 1970, Toray Industries of Japan signed a technical cooperation agreement with Union Carbide of the United States to jointly promote the development of high-performance carbon fiber technology. Since then, with the continuous advancement of carbon fiber technology and the reduction of costs, its application fields have gradually expanded to wind power generation, pressure vessels, sports equipment, and many other areas. The increasing global demand for carbon fiber has driven the rapid development of the carbon fiber industry.

In summary, the early origins and development of carbon fiber were filled with the hardships of scientific exploration and technological innovation. From the initial attempts to later commercial production and globalization, carbon fiber technology has undergone a transformation from nothing to something, from weak to strong. Today, carbon fiber has become one of the indispensable key materials in many high-end fields.

Evolution of Carbon Fiber Technology

The evolution of carbon fiber technology can be traced back to the late 19th century, with significant advancements made in the 20th and 21st centuries. Initially developed in the United States as a material for incandescent lamp filaments, carbon fiber technology remained largely dormant until the 1950s when the rise of the aerospace industry sparked renewed interest in lightweight, high-strength materials. Key milestones in the modern era of carbon fiber technology include the successful scaling up of carbon fiber production by the United Carbide Corporation in 1956, the development of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers by Japanese scientists in 1959, and the rapid expansion of carbon fiber applications beyond aerospace into sporting goods, automotive, and other industrial sectors in the 1960s and 1970s. In recent years, carbon fiber technology has continued to evolve, with the development of new precursor materials, advanced manufacturing techniques, and increased production capacity, particularly in China, South Korea, and Turkey. Today, carbon fibers are widely used in a variety of high-performance applications, including aerospace, automotive, sports equipment, and renewable energy, and there is growing focus on developing sustainable carbon fiber production processes and exploring new applications for this versatile, high-performance material. As technology continues to advance, the future of carbon fiber looks bright, with new applications and cost reductions driving further growth and innovation.

Milestones in the Development of Carbon Fiber Tubes

The development of carbon fiber tubes has been marked by significant milestones throughout history. In the late 19th century, carbon fibers were first produced as filaments for incandescent lamps, although these early fibers lacked the strength and performance characteristics of modern carbon fibers. With the rise of the aerospace industry in the 1950s, there was renewed interest in developing lightweight, high-strength materials, leading to the successful scaling up of carbon fiber production by the United Carbide Corporation in 1956. In 1959, Japanese scientists developed polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers, which are now the most widely used type of carbon fibers due to their superior mechanical properties. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, carbon fiber technology rapidly expanded beyond the aerospace industry, with applications in sporting goods, automotive, and other industrial sectors. Carbon fiber tubes began to be produced for use in a variety of applications requiring high strength-to-weight ratios. In the 21st century, ongoing research and development has led to improvements in the production process, cost reductions, and the exploration of new applications for carbon fiber tubes. China has emerged as a major producer of carbon fibers, with significant investments in production capacity and research and development. There is also growing interest in developing sustainable carbon fiber production processes that minimize environmental impacts. Today, carbon fiber tubes are used in a diverse range of applications, including renewable energy, automotive, and infrastructure, and ongoing innovation is driving further improvements and new applications for this versatile material.

(3)Types of Carbon Fiber Tubes

1.Overview of Different Types

Carbon fiber tubes, as a high-performance composite material product, can be classified into various types based on different criteria. The following is an overview of the different types of carbon fiber tubes:

• Classification by Material Composition

• Pure Carbon Fiber Tubes: Made of pure carbon fiber, they possess high strength and stiffness while maintaining lightweight properties. Commonly used in aerospace, sports equipment, and other fields.
• Carbon Fiber Composite Tubes: Composed of carbon fiber and other materials (such as epoxy resin), they can be tailored to specific performance requirements by adjusting the material ratio. Widely used in machinery, automotive, construction, and other industries.

• Classification by Manufacturing Process

• Wound Carbon Fiber Tubes: Manufactured by winding carbon fiber around a mold and then thermally curing it. Known for good strength and wear resistance, commonly used in aerospace, marine, and other fields.
• Pultruded Carbon Fiber Tubes: Produced by pulling and heating carbon fiber bundles to form a tubular structure. Offers high strength and stiffness, commonly used in sports equipment, aerospace, and other applications.
• Injection Molded Carbon Fiber Tubes: Made by mixing carbon fiber with resin, injecting it into a mold, and thermally curing it. Features good surface finish and dimensional stability, commonly used in electronic products, automotive components, and other fields.
• Pultrusion Carbon Fiber Tubes: Manufactured through pultrusion process, known for high production efficiency and relatively low cost, suitable for mass production.
• Molded Carbon Fiber Tubes: Produced by compressing carbon fiber prepregs in a mold and thermally curing them. Offers high precision and is suitable for applications requiring tight dimensional accuracy.

• Classification by Appearance and Shape

• Round Carbon Fiber Tubes: Cylindrical in shape, the most common type of carbon fiber tubes. Widely used in machinery, aerospace, sports equipment, and other fields.
• Square Carbon Fiber Tubes: With a square or rectangular shape, they provide good torsional resistance. Commonly used in construction, bridges, and other applications.
• Irregular Carbon Fiber Tubes: With irregular shapes, designed and manufactured according to specific requirements. Often used in special applications such as medical devices, marine vessels, and other fields.
• Other Shapes: Include rectangular, hexagonal, elliptical, tapered, and other shaped carbon fiber tubes, which are custom-made according to specific application needs.

• Classification by Application Area

• Aerospace Carbon Fiber Tubes: Known for their lightweight and high-strength properties, commonly used in manufacturing critical components for aircraft, rockets, and other aerospace equipment.
• Sports Equipment Carbon Fiber Tubes: With high strength and good stiffness, commonly used in manufacturing golf clubs, bicycle frames, and other sports equipment to enhance performance and durability.
• Mechanical Carbon Fiber Tubes: With excellent strength and stiffness, they can replace traditional metal materials and are used in manufacturing mechanical parts, bearings, and other components to reduce weight and improve mechanical performance.
• Construction Carbon Fiber Tubes: Known for their lightweight and high-strength properties, commonly used in reinforcing and repairing concrete structures, manufacturing building materials, and other applications to enhance the safety and durability of structures.

In summary, carbon fiber tubes can be classified into various types based on their material composition, manufacturing process, appearance and shape, and application area. Each type of carbon fiber tube has its unique characteristics and advantages, suitable for different application scenarios and requirements. With the continuous development of carbon fiber technology, the classification and application areas of carbon fiber tubes will continue to expand and improve.

2. Characteristics and Applications of Each Type

All kinds of carbon fiber tubes have been widely used in many fields because of their excellent physical and chemical properties. The following is a specific summary of the application of various types of carbon fiber tubes:

• Pure carbon fiber tube

• Pure carbon fiber tubes are made of pure carbon fiber and have extremely high strength and stiffness, while having the advantage of lightweight. In the aerospace field, it is used to manufacture key structural parts of aircraft, rockets and other aerospace equipment, such as fuselage, wings, tail fins, etc., to reduce the overall weight and improve flight performance and fuel efficiency. At the same time, in terms of sports equipment, such as golf clubs, bicycle frames, fishing rods, etc., the lightweight and high-strength characteristics of pure carbon fiber tubes are also used to improve the performance and service life of the equipment.

• Carbon fiber composite pipe

• Carbon fiber composite pipe is made of carbon fiber and other materials (such as epoxy resin), and the material ratio can be adjusted according to specific needs to obtain better performance. In the field of machinery and automotive, it is used to manufacture mechanical parts, bearings, automobile frames, axle, engine brackets, etc., to replace traditional metal materials, achieve lightweight and improve strength and stiffness. In the field of construction, carbon fiber composite pipes are used to strengthen and repair concrete structures, manufacture bridge cables, building materials, etc., to improve the bearing capacity and durability of structures. In addition, due to its good dimensional stability and corrosion resistance, carbon fiber composite tubes are also used to manufacture shells and brackets for precision electronic devices.

• Carbon fiber tubes classified by manufacturing process

• Carbon fiber tubes classified by manufacturing process also have their own application areas. The coiled carbon fiber tube is made by winding and heat curing treatment, which has good strength and wear resistance, so it is used in aerospace, Marine, sports equipment and other fields to manufacture parts that need to withstand high stress and wear. The carbon fiber bundle is stretched and heated to form a tubular structure, which has high strength and high stiffness, and is suitable for sports equipment (such as golf clubs, hockey sticks), aerospace and other fields, and is used to manufacture parts that require high strength and lightweight. The injection carbon fiber tube is the carbon fiber and resin mixed into the mold for heat curing treatment, surface finish and dimensional stability is good, so it is used in electronic products, auto parts, medical equipment and other fields, manufacturing parts that require high precision and surface quality.

• Carbon fiber tubes classified by shape

• Carbon fiber tubes classified by shape also have their own application characteristics. Circular carbon fiber tube appearance is cylindrical, is the most common shape of carbon fiber tube, widely used in machinery, aerospace, sports equipment and other fields. Square/rectangular carbon fiber tubes are square or rectangular in appearance and have good torsional resistance. They are often used in construction, Bridges, automation equipment and other fields to manufacture structural parts that need to withstand complex stresses. Irregular carbon fiber tubes are designed and manufactured according to specific needs, and are suitable for applications in special scenarios, such as medical devices, ships, artworks and other fields.

• Other application areas

• In addition to the above areas, carbon fiber tubes are also widely used in the energy industry and daily life. In the energy industry, wind turbine blades, solar panel brackets, etc., have adopted carbon fiber tubes to provide lightweight and high-strength solutions. In daily life, we can also see the application of carbon fiber tubes, such as tent brackets, fitness equipment, luggage rods, etc., all make use of the durability and beauty of carbon fiber tubes.

(4)Properties and Benefits of Carbon Fiber Tubes

Carbon fiber tube as a high-performance composite material products, has a series of unique properties and advantages, the following is a detailed summary of its properties and advantages:

Mechanical properties

• High strength: The strength of carbon fiber tubes is very high, and its tensile strength can reach 6-12 times that of steel, or even higher, reaching more than 3000MPa. This allows the carbon fiber tube to withstand the same load, requiring a smaller material cross section area, resulting in a lightweight design.
• Lightweight: The density of carbon fiber tubes is much lower than that of steel, only about 1/4 of steel, so it has significant lightweight advantages. This helps to reduce the weight of the overall structure, improve energy efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
• Fatigue resistance: carbon fiber tubes have excellent fatigue resistance and can maintain stable mechanical properties under long-term alternating loads.
• High modulus: carbon fiber tube has a high specific modulus, that is, the stiffness per unit mass is large, which makes it able to maintain good shape stability when it is subjected to deformation such as bending or torsion.

Chemical properties

• Corrosion resistance: carbon fiber tube has excellent corrosion resistance, can resist acid, alkali, salt and other chemical substances erosion. This enables it to maintain stable performance in harsh environments and extend service life.
• Chemical stability: carbon fiber tubes can maintain their physical and chemical properties in the face of various chemical substances, and are not easy to react or degrade.

Thermal performance

• Good thermal conductivity: Carbon fiber has good thermal conductivity and can transfer heat quickly. This makes carbon fiber tubes a significant advantage in some applications that require high thermal conductivity, such as thermal management systems, high-temperature industries, etc.
• Thermal stability: carbon fiber tube can maintain stable performance in a large temperature difference range, and is not easy to deformation or damage due to temperature changes. The linear expansion coefficient is low, and the phenomenon of thermal expansion and cold contraction is not obvious.

Other properties

• Electromagnetic transparency: carbon fiber tubes have good transparency to electromagnetic waves and will not interfere with the transmission of electromagnetic signals. This makes it an ideal material choice for applications where electromagnetic shielding or wireless signal transmission is required.
• Shock absorption: carbon fiber tube has good shock absorption performance, can effectively absorb and disperse energy when it is affected by shock or vibration, and protect the internal structure and equipment from damage.
• Dimensional stability: The dimensional stability of carbon fiber tubes is good, and it is not easy to change size due to environmental changes. This makes it widely used in precision instruments and equipment.

 

In summary, carbon fiber tube with its high strength, lightweight, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, good thermal stability and a series of excellent properties, in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, sports equipment and other fields have been widely used. With the continuous progress of technology and the gradual reduction of cost, the application prospect of carbon fiber tubes will be broader.

（5）The cost and future trends of carbon fiber tubes

The cost and future trends of carbon fiber tubes are complex and multi-dimensional topics, and the following is an in-depth analysis of these two aspects:

The cost of carbon fiber tubes

The cost of carbon fiber tubes is affected by many factors. First of all, the cost of raw materials is a key factor, carbon fiber as the main raw material, its price fluctuations directly affect the cost of carbon fiber tubes. In recent years, with the progress of carbon fiber production technology and the improvement of output, its price has been reduced, which is favorable for the cost control of carbon fiber tubes. However, high performance carbon fibers still maintain a high price, so the cost of high performance carbon fiber tubes is also relatively high.

Secondly, the complexity of the manufacturing process is also part of the cost composition. The manufacturing of carbon fiber tubes requires the support of high-precision equipment and professional technicians, which increases the manufacturing cost. However, with the development of automation and intelligent manufacturing technology, production efficiency is expected to improve, thus helping to reduce manufacturing costs.

Production scale is also an important factor affecting cost. Large-scale production can use the scale effect to reduce the cost per unit product, so large-scale carbon fiber tube manufacturers have advantages in cost control.

Finally, the market supply and demand relationship also has a significant impact on the price and cost of carbon fiber tubes. When market demand exceeds supply, prices rise; Conversely, prices fall when supply is in excess. This market dynamic also directly affects the cost of carbon fiber tubes.

The future trend of carbon fiber tubes

Looking to the future, the carbon fiber tube industry will show multiple development trends. First of all, technological advances will promote the continuous improvement of carbon fiber tube performance, while reducing manufacturing costs. This will further broaden the application field of carbon fiber tubes to meet the needs of more industries.

Secondly, the application field of carbon fiber tubes will continue to expand. At present, it has been widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, sports equipment and other fields. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the reduction of costs, carbon fiber tubes are expected to play an important role in more fields such as energy, construction, and medical care.

Environmental protection and sustainable development will also become an important development direction of the carbon fiber pipe industry. In the context of increasing environmental awareness, the manufacturing process of carbon fiber tubes will pay more attention to reducing environmental impact and improving resource efficiency.

In addition, the improvement of the localization rate is also one of the future trends. With the continuous development and growth of domestic carbon fiber production enterprises, the localization rate of carbon fiber tubes is expected to further improve. This will help reduce dependence on imported carbon fiber, reduce production costs, and improve market competitiveness.

Finally, the market competition will become increasingly fierce. With the continuous expansion of the carbon fiber tube market, enterprises will need to enhance market competitiveness through technological innovation, improve product quality and service level to occupy a favorable position in the market. This will promote the continuous development and progress of the entire industry.

(6)Manufacturing Process of Carbon Fiber Tubes

The manufacturing process of carbon fiber tube is a complex and fine process, which mainly includes three main stages: raw material preparation, molding process and post-treatment. The following is a detailed analysis of the carbon fiber tube manufacturing process:

• Prepare raw materials

• Carbon fiber prepreg: Carbon fiber prepreg is the main raw material for carbon fiber tube manufacturing, which is made of carbon fiber tow and resin matrix. The quality of the prepreg directly affects the performance of the final product.
• Mold making: According to the design requirements of the product, make the corresponding mold. The precision and material of the mold have an important impact on the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the product.

• Molding process

• The forming process of carbon fiber tube is various, including pultrusion forming, winding forming, coil forming and die forming. Each molding process has its own unique characteristics and scope of application.

• Pultrusion molding:

• Process: Carbon fiber prepreg under the action of traction, through dipping, extrusion molding, heating curing, fixed length cutting and other steps, continuous production of carbon fiber linear products.
• Advantages: High production efficiency, high product strength, no corner waste, low cost.
• Disadvantages: The product shape is monotonous, can only produce linear profiles, transverse strength is not high.

• Winding forming:

• Process: The carbon fiber wire soaked in resin solution is wound to the mandrel in a specific way, and the mandrel is removed after a series of treatments to obtain the carbon fiber tube.
• Advantages: The arrangement direction and layer number of fibers can be adjusted according to the need to adapt to different stress requirements.
• Disadvantages: There may be uneven infiltration of carbon fiber, affecting product quality.

• Roll forming:

• Process: The carbon fiber prepreg is placed on the mandrel, compacted by the pipe winding machine to avoid air entry leading to bubbling, and then cured at high temperature.
• Advantages: High production efficiency, stable product quality.
• Disadvantages: High requirements for equipment and operation.

• Molding:

• Process: The cut carbon fiber prepreg is laid at a certain Angle and placed in the hot pressing equipment for high temperature and high pressure curing.
• Advantages: Accurate and stable product size, good mechanical properties, controllable resin content.
• Disadvantages: low degree of automation, slow production efficiency, high product cost.Post-processing

• Demoulding: The cured carbon fiber tube is removed from the mold.
• Trimming: Necessary trimming of the removed carbon fiber tube, such as removing burrs, polishing the surface, etc.
• Testing: The trimmed carbon fiber tube is tested to ensure that its dimensional accuracy, surface quality and mechanical properties meet the design requirements.
• Packaging: The tested carbon fiber tubes are packaged for transportation and storage.

In summary, the manufacturing process of carbon fiber tubes is a highly technology-intensive process that requires precise control of each link to ensure the quality of the final product. With the continuous progress of technology and the upgrading of equipment, the manufacturing efficiency and product quality of carbon fiber tubes will be further improved.

(7)Environmental Impact and Sustainability

The environmental impact and sustainability of carbon fiber tubes is a complex and multi-dimensional issue. Here’s an in-depth look at both:

Environmental impact of carbon fiber tubes

Carbon fiber tube in the production, use and disposal process will have a certain impact on the environment. In the production stage, its energy consumption is large, including electricity, heat, etc., which not only increases the production cost, but also may cause pressure on the environment due to greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the waste water, waste gas and solid waste generated in the production process may also cause pollution to the surrounding environment if handled improperly. In addition, the raw materials of carbon fiber are mainly from fossil fuels such as oil, and its mining and processing may also bring environmental problems.

However, in the use stage, carbon fiber tubes show their environmentally friendly side. Due to its good corrosion resistance, it can be used in harsh environments for a long time, reducing the frequency of material replacement due to corrosion, thus reducing the environmental burden. At the same time, the lightweight characteristics of carbon fiber tubes help to reduce energy consumption and emissions during transportation, especially in aerospace, automotive and other fields of application, this environmental benefit is more significant.

In the waste treatment stage, the recyclability of carbon fiber tubes is a key factor affecting their environmental impact. At present, the recycling technology of carbon fiber is not mature, the recovery rate is low, and the recycling process may produce new environmental problems. Therefore, improving the recycling rate of carbon fiber is an important direction to reduce its environmental impact. If carbon fiber tubes cannot be effectively recycled, their landfill or incineration treatment may also have a certain impact on the environment.

Sustainability of carbon fiber tubes

Carbon fiber tubes show some potential in terms of sustainability. First of all, it replaces traditional metal materials in many fields with its excellent performance, achieving lightweight design and improving resource utilization efficiency. With the advancement of technology and the reduction of costs, the application range of carbon fiber tubes will be further expanded, helping to promote the construction of a resource-saving society.

Secondly, promoting the recycling of carbon fiber is an important way to achieve its sustainability. Through the development of advanced recycling technology and the establishment of a sound recycling system, the recycling rate of carbon fiber can be improved, and the waste of resources and environmental pollution can be reduced. Recycled carbon fiber can also be used to produce new carbon fiber tubes or other carbon fiber products, forming a circular economy industry chain.

Finally, technological innovation and policy support are also important guarantees to promote the sustainable development of carbon fiber tubes. Through the continuous development of new production processes and environmentally friendly materials, the production cost and environmental impact of carbon fiber tubes can be reduced. At the same time, the government and relevant institutions can introduce relevant policy measures to encourage enterprises to increase research and development investment and technological innovation in the field of carbon fiber tubes.

To sum up, the environmental impact and sustainability of carbon fiber tubes is an issue that needs to consider a number of factors. In order to reduce its environmental impact and improve its sustainability, it is necessary to effectively manage the full life cycle from production to use to disposal. At the same time, strengthening technological innovation and policy support is also an important direction to promote the sustainable development of carbon fiber tubes.