Carbon fibers are produced by carbonizing precursor fibers based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) rayon or pitch. The term is often used interchangeably with graphite, however carbon fibers and graphite fibers are made and heated at different temperatures with different carbon contents.
Carbon fibers are manufactured in various sizes specified by the 'K' size of that fiber. 'K' stands for 1,000 filaments per fiber. ie. a 3K fiber would have 3,000 filaments in it and so on.
Since each filament adds strength and weight to a fiber you can simply calculate that a 3K fiber has three times the weight and strength of a 1K.
Currently, we use a 3K twill fabric which consists of one or more wrap fibers alternately woven over and under two or more adjacent fibers. This produces the visual effect of a straight or broken diagonal rib to the fabric. Superior wet out and drape is seen in this twill weave over a plain weave, with only a small reduction in stability. This weave also has a smoother surface and slightly higher mechanical properties.
Question: Why are conposite materials more expensive than guards made of traditional materials?
Answer: 1) All primary raw materials are costly.
2) Demand for carbon and texalium fabrics since 2006 has shorted availability to the world market.
3) The construction of each sheet is labor intensive and done by a skilled composite technician. There is no way for machinery to build the composites we use. Our guard material is made to our exact specifications and not available to the general public except through us.
Purchasing materials: During our manufacturing process there are small pieces of 'fall off' which can be purchased. Each material we offer is available. This option works out well for inlaying and esthetic projects.
Large 'workable' sizes are also available. Please contact us for current pricing.
