carbon fiber rods

[trey]

I noticed some carbon fiber rods at the hobby store next to the brass rods. Can these be peened
over like the brass?

Thanks,
Trey

[Darksev]

negative there. here's why:

CF is a fiber like material (lattice) inside an epoxy type resin compressed at high pressure w/heat. the epoxy provides the rigidity, the CF fibers allow it to flex a bit without breaking. It's basically a super lightweight version of the venerable G10 (glass fibers and epoxy) or Micarta (natural fibers and phenolic resin).

if that all sounds a bit technical, think of it this way. Metals are like hardwood. you can bend them, shape them, etc without them falling apart on you. look at the head of a wooden cane, or a lacrosse stick, for example. CF/G10/Micarta is like plywood. you can have the factory mold it any way you want, but try to bend it that way yourself and your going to get wood chips.

[trey]

Thanks, Adam, I figured you would know. Carbon fiber rivets would look cool, though.
Especially on your #25 with the carbon fiber/G10.

[Elvis]

Very well explained Adam. It's just a thought that the ends of the rods might be able to be melted to give the same effect as peening, but they wouldn't have the ability to pull the liners together while being peened like brass or NS. Handle materials would be pretty limited having to apply heat that close to them also. You have wonder how a carbon fiber rod would hold up as a knife pin, don't you? It is an interesting question that hadn't occurred to me before. Just thinking out loud.....Thanks for the mental stimulation.

[Darksev]

I doubt you'd be able to melt CF in any appreciable way. If the resin used is anything like the stuff in G10, it doesn't melt, it burns at high temperature (like if your not watching what your doing on a grinder). While I can't find anything in my list of numbers about it's fire rating, I know it's likely pretty high. mechanically it's tensile strength is up in the 120000psi range, flex strength from 110000 to 170000ish.

[Elvis]

While you're probably right, I'll apply a bit of heat to a small sheet I have in my shop and see if it can be "influenced". I've never look at the stuff as anything but a durable handle material until this question was raised. I'm probably spinning my wheels, but it's a slow day.