Could be the stupidest question, but...

[myung-gwan]

Does the Carbon Fiber ever rust? I see some fibrous lines that I assume to be the metal part containing carbon. I'm seriously considering putting my CF mili into my EDC rotation and am a bit concerned with how they react to the elements. Thanks.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

I will have to say. . . no

 

[m_calingo]

Carbon fiber won't rust. It's made of strands of carbon fiber which are then woven into a "fabric" which is flexible until it is cured. Once cured, it becomes quite rigid despite its light weight, which is why it's also a good material for making airplane surfaces. It will chip if struck hard enough, and it might burn, but it won't rust.

In terms of durability G10 fiberglass seems to be the toughest of the popular handle materials, followed by canvas or linen micarta, then closely followed by carbon fiber, at least based on what I've read here in BF.

I'm sure if I'm wrong, someone else will correct me.

 

[underaged!]

Isn't rust iron oxide? I think I have seen a "clouded" up CF hood at a junkyard one time though.

 

[talonturbo]

Isn't rust iron oxide? I think I have seen a "clouded" up CF hood at a junkyard one time though.

That would be the clear anyway. CF can't rust. BTW I'm currently rotating a CF Millie into my EDC and it's simply awesome. And I thought I hated Military's.

 

[Planterz]

There's no iron in carbon fiber. "Rust" is iron oxide. Carbon itself does not rust. I don't think it corrodes in any manner either.

 

[myung-gwan]

There's no iron in carbon fiber. "Rust" is iron oxide. Carbon itself does not rust. I don't think it corrodes in any manner either.

That's something I didn't know about... seems to me then that Carbon acts as a sort of catalyst in rust forming.

In terms of durability G10 fiberglass seems to be the toughest of the popular handle materials, followed by canvas or linen micarta, then closely followed by carbon fiber, at least based on what I've read here in BF.

I read something contrary here in BF. CF being the strongest followed by G-10, and then canvas or linen micarta. Hope someone can clear this up.

 

[flipe8]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't rust. It's also saturated in epoxy/resin so the likelihood of any of the fibres becoming eposed to oxidizing agents would be very low. This stuff is used in kayaks as well and there aren't many more places where something would be exposed to salt than the ocean.

 

[psy-ops]

Oxygen is what causes rust in iron(Fe) by stripping away its electrons.

Oxidation causes rust. Carbon has nothing to do with rust as an element.

The name "Carbon" steel is probably what is causing this misunderstanding. Carbon is not pure carbon. Carbon steel is a conglomerate or alloy of Fe which rusts and other elements.

 

[psy-ops]

That is why carbon blades (name) rust just by sititng around. When it hits water and the water evaporates there is oxidation.

 

[Mongo-man]

I think the confussion about the role of carbon with myung-gwan comes from the fact that we constantly hear "high carbon knives will rust". The use of Carbon in steel has indeed a role in the forming of FeO ( ironoxide). But strangely C (carbon) is very inert itself.
Remember that diamond is pure Carbon.

What could happen is that there could develop corrosion between metal liners and the CF slabs. This could give the impression that CF in a way contributes to corrosion.

 

[myung-gwan]

I think the confussion about the role of carbon with myung-gwan comes from the fact that we constantly hear "high carbon knives will rust". The use of Carbon in steel has indeed a role in the forming of FeO ( ironoxide). But strangely C (carbon) is very inert itself.

We learn something new everyday That was indeed what made me think Carbon somehow attributes to rust forming. I'm now clear on that Carbon itself does not rust. But it still has to do with rust forming? Please correct me if I'm wrong