Bonding Carbon Fiber Tube To Aluminum

Make sure that the component slides in straight and is not cocked off center.

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. Equally important was prepping the aluminum with the same steps. It is a 2 x3 aluminum plate bonded inside a carbon fiber square. 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.

Recent advances in multi material adhesives have given manufacturers new assembly options beyond traditional mechanical and thermal assembly methods. I am having issues bonding an aluminum plate to a carbon fiber structure. This tubing is designed for large applications such as telescope projects or light weight drums. Joining carbon fiber tubes requires the use of what are known as tube clusters.

Only a small amount of force is required to fully seat the tube. First suggested here in response to an op from me several years ago. Another quick vacuum and acetone wipe down to remove any remaining dust oil and waxes. The seperation occurs between both the aluminum plate and the adhesive and the adhesive and carbon fiber.

The aluminum plate sees a fair amount of shock due to the application. 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. A quick vacuum followed by more sanding in a few areas that where missed. The simple answer just the exterior ply of material.

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. 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. Our large diameter carbon fiber tubes are comprised of rolled bi directional woven carbon fiber.

What is the difference between the twill carbon fiber tubes and the ud carbon fiber tubes. With the ability to bond dissimilar multi materials including aluminum and carbon fiber composites you can use lighter and thinner materials for groundbreaking innovations in form and function. Now imagine simply cutting off all of the tubes leaving about an inch or two after the welds.