Bonding Carbon Fiber Tube To Aluminum

A quick vacuum followed by more sanding in a few areas that where missed.

Bonding carbon fiber tube to aluminum.

Now imagine simply cutting off all of the tubes leaving about an inch or two after the welds. Recent advances in multi material adhesives have given manufacturers new assembly options beyond traditional mechanical and thermal assembly methods. Our large diameter carbon fiber tubes are comprised of rolled bi directional woven carbon fiber. First suggested here in response to an op from me several years ago.

Equally important was prepping the aluminum with the same steps. What is the difference between the twill carbon fiber tubes and the ud carbon fiber tubes. It is the only adhesive i tried that glues alu alloy to same for applications like a tube telescoped into a tube or a rod telescoped into a tube. The aluminum plate sees a fair amount of shock due to the application.

I am having issues bonding an aluminum plate to a carbon fiber structure. The simple answer just the exterior ply of material. Make sure that the component slides in straight and is not cocked off center. Joining carbon fiber tubes requires the use of what are known as tube clusters.

Next up was abrading the carbon fiber with 180 grit sandpaper to add tooth for the epoxy to key into. Another quick vacuum and acetone wipe down to remove any remaining dust oil and waxes. Begin pressing the aluminum bondable component into the carbon fiber tube. The seperation occurs between both the aluminum plate and the adhesive and the adhesive and carbon fiber.

With the ability to bond dissimilar multi materials including aluminum and carbon fiber composites you can use lighter and thinner materials for groundbreaking innovations in form and function. The easiest way to envision a tube cluster is to simply look at a typical tube frame welded up from aluminum steel or chrome moly tubing. Only a small amount of force is required to fully seat the tube. In the case of bonding in tubing ends most of the mechanical load will be in directions where the tubing itself will carry most of the load.

Depending on the intended use of the tubes i recommend reinforcing the outside of the tubing by winding on some kevlar tow with laminating epoxy over the part where the metal is bonded inside the tube. Our carbon fiber large tubes come with a texture finish on both the inside and outside for easy bonding and painting. This tubing is designed for large applications such as telescope projects or light weight drums.