What is the difference between wet carbon and dry carbon fiber?
2 Answers
Dry carbon fiber and wet carbon fiber have different manufacturing methods and prices. Dry carbon fiber is more expensive, has a more complex manufacturing process, and higher production costs. The comparison between the two is as follows: 1. Carbon fiber: (1) Carbon fiber is a material used in many high-performance sports cars and racing cars, and it is generally not seen in most civilian vehicles. Carbon fiber is lightweight and high-strength, which is why this material is favored by many supercar manufacturers. (2) Many supercar cabins are made of carbon fiber. (3) Many car modification enthusiasts will replace their car's engine hood with carbon fiber, as such hoods are high-strength and can reduce the weight of the front end. 2. Dry carbon fiber: (1) Dry carbon fiber has less residual resin during manufacturing, resulting in higher-strength components. Wet carbon fiber contains more resin, making its production cost relatively low. (2) There are many counterfeit carbon fiber components on the market, which are merely covered with a carbon fiber-like sticker.
When modifying car parts, I often struggle with choosing between wet carbon and dry carbon. Simply put, wet carbon involves soaking carbon fiber fabric in resin liquid during manufacturing, like dipping dry cloth into water. This process is cheaper, with lower material costs—around 1,000–2,000 RMB for parts like body panels. However, the resin coating may be thicker, making it slightly heavier, and the surface may have small bubbles or unevenness, feeling rough when cleaning dust. Dry carbon, on the other hand, refers to carbon fiber pre-impregnated with resin before leaving the factory. The dry fibers are already fused with resin and can be shaped directly with heat. It’s much lighter but twice as expensive, commonly used in sports car parts, with a mirror-like glossy surface that’s less prone to scratches. Dry carbon also has higher strength and resists deformation at high speeds. Wet carbon is more suitable for budget modifications, while dry carbon is for enthusiasts pursuing perfection. Overall, the choice depends on budget and purpose—wet carbon is sufficient for regular road cars, while dry carbon is for track use or showing off.