G-10 Versus Carbon Fiber

65535 said:
1) IIRC G-10 is a thermoset high pressure composite, 2)that has a higher density than CF and 3) is more resistant to cracking.

4)This big issue for me is most carbon fiber can peel away at the edges leaving Carbon Fibers to splinter into your hand.
Click to expand...

1) G10 is an epoxy fiberglass laminate, But is not necessarily made at high pressure. Carbon fiber laminate is the same only made with carbon fiber fabric instead of glass fabric.

2) The density is roughly the same.

3) Cracking is a property of the resin. Both G10 and Carbon Fiber Laminates are held together by an epoxy. But there are a gazillion epoxy formulations, some tougher than others. Glass fiber vs Carbon fiber reinforcement has no affect on propensity to crack.

4) Boss I've worked with both glass and carbon fiber composites in the lab and on the shop floor. I have no idea what you are talking about in that last paragraph. Both glass fibers and carbon fibers can get into your hand when you are working with the bare fibers prior to encapsulating them with resin. On a cured composite, once the edges are machined, both types are stable in my experience. I have never seen either type of composite "peel away at the edge" in a properly made laminate.
 
I saw a photo of a peel ply Military where the fibers were sticking out around the inner edges.
 
Cheaper fiberglass sheet machined and left untreated like in some applications does fray, and I acknowledge that I don't know much about modern materials so thanks for the clarification.
:thumbs:
 
hardheart said:
I saw a photo of a peel ply Military where the fibers were sticking out around the inner edges.
Click to expand...

I'd have to see a picture. If machined and finished properly, it should not happen. I've seen unfinished or poorly finished composites, both glass and carbon that had fibers sticking out. I don't think the carbon fibers are any more prone to this than glass. Once the laminate is machined and finished, neither should have protruding fibers.

The only other time one might have protruding fibers is if the epoxy has been damaged, perhaps by excessive UV exposure. The resin will turn to powder leaving the fibers. But again, this is equally likely to happen with either carbon fiber or glass. It would take months of direct sunlight for this to happen. Or you could dissolve the epoxy with concentrated acid, but I would not expect that to be an issue for a knife handle.

Hey hardheart, I got a set of those Aluminum Oxide triangles from Congress that you were talking about last December and tried them in my Sharpmaker. Thanks. (I ended up not using them as part of my regular kit, but I do appreciate the tip.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top