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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Zradix on January 10, 2011, 08:07:00 PM

Title: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: Zradix on January 10, 2011, 08:07:00 PM
Why not make a solid carbon fiber laminate limb(s)?
I've never heard of one.
Is it just the cost or is there more to it?

Thank you.
Title: Re: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: jess stuart on January 10, 2011, 10:19:00 PM
Don't know if it would work or not.  You could be the first, give it a try and let us know.
Title: Re: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: Zradix on January 10, 2011, 10:54:00 PM
I'm sure someone has done it.
Title: Re: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: hova on January 10, 2011, 11:11:00 PM
i demand proof...


-hov
Title: Re: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: Johan van Niekerk on January 11, 2011, 06:44:00 AM
Isn't that kinda what the ACS bows does?
Title: Re: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: Zradix on January 11, 2011, 08:17:00 AM
They use a wood core..or bamboo
Title: Re: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: Bradford on January 11, 2011, 01:25:00 PM
I feel.. and I may be wrong.. that a full carbon limb might be to brittle.  I know dealing with other carbon items, there is some flex, but can be very brittle.

I think that is why they mix the carbon in with other materials.  Your adding strength, less weight, but keeping some flexability with the other materials.

Just my opinion.
Title: Re: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: BenBow on January 11, 2011, 02:54:00 PM
Carbon is significantly heavier than fiberglass and wood. Though stiffer it's weight would make for poor performance. The cost would be prohibitive too. If you've ever shot one of the old all fiberglass bows you have an idea of how poor a bow all carbon would be.
Title: Re: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: Zradix on January 12, 2011, 08:23:00 AM
OK I understand now.

The farther from the center of the limb the more stress there is when the limb is bent.

Carbon fiber laminate is 2-3 times as dense as wood.
Having that dense CFL in the core ( not doing much work ) just weighs down the limb too much.

So, you need to build a limb with a light core and put the stiff and heavy CFL on in a thin layer as far from the center of the limb ( within reason) as you can.

A solid 3 layer CFL strip weighing 10oz will bend easier than say 2 layers of CFL sandwiching 1" of bubble wrap with the sandwich totaling 10oz.

Someone needs to invent a better core material and a lighter resin for the carbon fiber..
Title: Re: SOLID Carbon fiber limbs?
Post by: KellyG on January 12, 2011, 09:18:00 AM
hope to it Zradix