How Hard is Carbon Fiber?
2 Answers
Carbon fiber material is an ultra-hard material that is 10 times harder than ordinary steel, second only to the hardness of diamond. Carbon fiber is formed by stacking organic polymer fibers with extremely high carbon content along the fiber bundle direction. The high hardness and super strong shear resistance we recognize are not entirely due to the material properties. There is a decisive factor involved, which is the critical void. When the stacking between fibers is below a certain critical value, the fiber void index between them determines the fiber's hardness, shear resistance, and tensile resistance.
Carbon fiber is renowned for its exceptional hardness among automotive materials, being several times harder than steel. Having worked extensively with various body materials, I've observed that carbon fiber typically boasts a rigidity index exceeding 230 GPa, meaning it can withstand tremendous pressure without deformation – perfect for supercar chassis where it enhances cornering stability. But don't just focus on hardness; it's ridiculously lightweight too, with half the density, reducing vehicle weight to improve acceleration and fuel efficiency. However, note that high hardness doesn't mean universal superiority; carbon fiber can be more brittle, shattering upon impact unlike steel's ductility. That's why it's prevalent in high-end models like Ferraris but rare in mainstream cars due to prohibitive costs and complex repairs. Practically speaking, this lightweight/high-hardness combo delivers sporty handling with razor-sharp cornering response, elevating overall vehicle performance.