Eager to get the best looks and performance from your high-performance machine but still clueless about contriving it. Then carbon fiber is the material you require. Carbon fiber, a composite of highly light and robust strands is one of those materials that can be shaped into almost any form to build components, materials, and almost anything you desire.
Carbon fiber hoods are becoming increasingly common among performance car enthusiasts. Carbon fiber hoods were first used on import tuner/sport compact cars, but the high-tech bonnets have been used on all sorts of vehicles in recent years, including luxury cars and retro muscle cars.
Although carbon fiber can be used for the entire car body, including various engine parts, carbon fiber hoods, carbon fiber sheets and wraps have now become increasingly popular among car freaks, and why not. Not only it enhances the physical looks, adding to the beauty of the vehicle, it also reduces the weight of the car by 50 pounds resulting in improved handling and speed.
Below we will list all the pros and cons of using carbon fiber hoods to understand better whether these are worthwhile for you or you need to consider some other alternatives.
CARBON FIBER HOOD PROS
1. REDUCES THE WEIGHT OF YOUR VEHICLE SIGNIFICANTLY
Although hoods made from carbon fiber are superior to those made by other hoods in terms of many Aspects, undoubtedly, the property possessed by it reduces the weight of the vehicle significantly. The increased usage of carbon fiber as opposed to steel and aluminium in recent years can be attributed to its low density yet providing rigidness simultaneously, making it highly suitable where maximum strength is to be obtained while keeping the weight minimum. Carbon fiber composites have a density of 1.55 g/cm3, while in the case of aluminium and steel, it is 2.7g/cm3 and 7.9 g/cm3 respectively. This makes carbon fiber composites almost x 2 lighter than aluminium and x 5 lighter than steel. Thus, carbon fiber parts weigh relatively less than similar parts made from aluminium and steel, resulting in slightly increased velocity, less air resistance, and better fuel economy.Considering this unique quality in mind, one can see why carbon fiber hoods have become the standard for Formula One, Indy Car, and exotic sports and muscle car enthusiasts worldwide. In fact, now more and more luxury car makers are including carbon fiber hoods and other parts in their vehicles.
2. CARBON FIBER IS STRONG
Carbon fiber is Hercules if you compare its strength to other materials. Although expensive, carbon fiber’s strength-to-weight ratio is unmatched. A material's stiffness is measured using Young Modulus, and according to experiments, a block of carbon fiber offers a stiffness of 90.5 GA. In contrast, this figure stands at 69 GA in the case of aluminium. If we compare similar weights, carbon fiber is also two to five times stiffer than steel and aluminium sheets. All in all, carbon fiber sheets provide an ideal weight to stiffness ratio among all the materials, making them suitable for motorsport cars and daily driven cars' hoods.
Additionally, carbon fiber prepreg composites can absorb energy at a much higher rate, making it safer if a collision occurs. Although carbon fiber is fragile and prone to cracking and breaking down into smaller fragments upon collision, considering this, designers and manufacturers now combine carbon fiber composites with an aluminium honeycomb core to increase the strength and impact resistivity. Energy absorption is measured by Specific Energy Absorption (SEA). Due to this autoclave method of producing carbon fiber, this material provides the best SEA of around 40 to 60 kJ/kg as opposed to steel 12 kJ/kg and aluminium 20 kJ/kg. Thus, showing a remarkable improvement due to this improved technology and making the driver safe in unforeseen incidents.
3. STANDOUT STYLE AND PERFORMANCE
In the automotive world, carbon fiber has recently become a visual shorthand for results. Faux carbon fiber trim pieces have become standard for car owners to give their vehicles a sporty look. Since hoods are so wide and simple to repair, those wanting to make a more significant visual statement will go so far as to install a carbon fiber hood on their vehicle, even though performance is not their primary concern. Even more, most of the aftermarket carbon fiber hoods available can be bought unpainted, meaning you have total liberty to customize it how you see fit. Your vehicle would be immediately identifiable, making it a success at auto shows and on the road in general. Add lightweight carbon fiber wheels for a massive visual effect and even carbon-fiber wings to improve your vehicle's aerodynamics and high-speed handling.
4. FEWER REPAIR COSTS
Carbon fiber parts does not corrode like steel, so it ages more gradually over the course of your vehicle's life. Since less rust means less damage, the higher carbon fiber cost can pay for itself over time. If a carbon-made product is damaged, there is a possibility that it can be restored. Though the product's full recovery requires special tools and equipment, DIY tools can be used to repair certain carbon fiber parts, assisting in the longevity of the product.
And if the cost isn't an issue, going all-in on carbon fiber parts and accessories will take your ride to the next level of lightweight machinery.
CARBON FIBER HOOD CONS
1. IF CARBON FIBER HOODS BREAK, THEY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED
If a carbon fiber hood breaks, it must be replaced. Carbon fiber, as we all know, is lighter and more resilient than other materials, but if it breaks, it is irreparable because it absorbs the impact during a collision and shatters into smaller fragments. To ensure a good fit and replacement, you would have to buy a brand-new hood, which can be expensive.
2. CHANGING THE VEHICLE'S HOOD CAN BE DIFFICULT
Depending on the model, adjusting the hood of your car can be difficult. If you ever want to swap your carbon fiber hood for aesthetic purposes, bear in mind that you will need to store the original hood in a garage or shed; otherwise, you'll have to pay for a new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) hood.
3. CARBON FIBER HOODS ARE EXPENSIVE
One needs to consider the high cost of carbon fiber hoods when thinking of buying them, and depending on style and brand, you can spend anywhere from $500-$1,000 for a carbon fiberhood, the cause being the high manufacturing cost. A highly specialized production facility is required, not to mention the expensive raw material: carbon fiber fabrics. Besides, the manufacturing of carbon fiber composites requires carbon prepregs to be manually placed in the moulds, making it time-consuming and costly at the same time. Also, due to the distinctive nature of carbon fiber sheets products, the production requires specific placement of fabrics and often autoclave curing (prepreg composites) , making the process expensive.
However, if you are reluctant to buy a new hood, consider a match able alternative that will save your money big time: carbon fiber wraps.
CARBON FIBER WRAPS
Also known as carbon fiber film, wraps are ideal for those who want a high-end carbon fiber appearance without the higher cost. You can have your car wrapped around with these on the hood as well as on any other part of the vehicle. Covering your hood costs below $200, and since these wraps are available in various varieties of colours, designs, and textures, you can customize your car according to your likings.
Since we have given you comprehensive information regarding the possible flaws and benefits of installing carbon fiber hoods on your vehicles, it comes down to what suits your requirement: whether you are more included towards performance, acceleration, and handlings or prefer the sleek look of carbon fiber. Resultantly, making the right choice.
