Composite Cycle Frame Manufacturing Methods Project Assignment

Composite Cycle Frame Manufacturing Methods Project - Assignment Example The second method is the closed mould which uses a bag and foam core. This method is commonly used to manufacture frames and monocoque frames. This paper analyses the process of manufacturing bicycles using the carbon fibre in two parts. This includes the time that carbon fibre takes to corrode during the process. This part looks at the process of manufacturing a bicycle using the methods available under the use of composite. The second part is the options available for corrosion resistance for the components used in the method. It is important to protect frames of these bicycles against corrosion which constitutes much of damages caused con them. Carbon fiber, which is also known as graphite fiber or even carbon graphite, is a material that is composed of fibers nearly a diameter of 5–10Â  ÃŽ ¼m and mainly consists of carbon atoms. They are joined in crystals that align themselves parallel to the fiber’s long axis. The alignment of the crystals provides the fiber with high strength to volume ratio, this renders it strong for its size. Many carbon fibers are brought together or joined to make a tow; this can be used by itself or even make a fabric (Campbell, 2003, p.36). The carbon fibers’ characteristics, like high solidity, low density, high tensile strength, high tolerance to temperature, high chemical opposition, and low thermal expansion greatly makes them to be largely used in military, aerospace, motorsports as well as civil engineering, also in some other competition sports. The carbon fibers are slightly expensive in comparison with some other fibers like plastic fibers and glass fibers. They are normally mixed with some other materials to come up with a composite. When they are mixed with a plastic resin and then molded, we find that the result is carbon fiber reinforced plastic; this is commonly known as carbon fiber and has a strength-to-weight ratio that is very high, which is very rigid even though