If you are wondering which material suits you the best, here is an explanation about the 3 materials that CarbonMiata offers and their manufacturing process.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS:
CarbonMiata uses vacuum bagging over conventional lay-up methods for their carbon fiber and carbon kevlar parts because of its advantages. The first is that the finished product will yield a better strength rating and be lighter. Parts that are stronger yet lighter can have a serious competitive advantage over others, especially since they are more durable and use less resources and material. This is most evident when comparing the ratio of glass to resin which is better accomplished under the vacuum bag molding process. Another benefit is that the process is relatively easy to switch to and materials for basic parts are easily obtained.
FIBERGLASS:
Fiberglass is the heaviest of the 3 materials CarbonMiata proposes. Fiberglass is composed of melted glass that has been extruded though bushings; this produces a string like material. This string is then woven into yarn and the yarn into cloth. Like carbon fiber, this cloth can be molded and bonded into any shape desired but fiberglass takes far less heat and pressure to accomplish this bond. Fiberglass is not as strong and light as carbon fiber but it is more flexible.
If you choose this material, the products will come in black/white gel coat and need to be painted just like this picture:
CARBON FIBER:
Carbon fiber is composed of carbon atoms bonded together to form a long chain. It is basically very thin strands of carbon; even thinner than human hair. The strands can be twisted together, like yarn. The yarns can be woven together, like cloth. These cloths and yarns can be molded and bonded together into any shape desired. This bond is formed by using heat and pressure, combining the fiber with a plastic or a polymer. Carbon fiber is five times as strong as steel, two times as stiff, yet weighs about two-thirds less. Carbon fiber has slowly made its way into multiple industries, replacing metal in certain applications.
Here is a picture of one of CarbonMiata carbon fiber part:
CARBON KEVLAR:
The carbon kevlar is still a carbon fiber mesh in a matrix, but some kevlar fibers are added to increase strength. While being light and stiff, the carbon fiber isn’t particularly strong. By adding some kevlar, you sacrifice some lightness (it heavier) but gains some strength. It has also this particular yellow weaving color. Be aware that with that material, it’s very difficult to have a perfect weaving as the material itself is not flexible so the parts made with carbon kevlar will not have a nice finish like the regular carbon fiber.
Here is a picture of one of CarbonMiata carbon kevlar part:
When buying items on this site, buyer must fully understand that products are made by hand and therefore that every item will not be 100% same as the others made. Imperfections such as small air bubbles, small scratches or “hairs” of fabric in the clearcoat are normal and cannot be avoided. The weights listed on our website are for reference only. We put a lot of work to make all our items install as easy as we can but buyer must know that some fitment and modification are necessary. We recommend customers to find a professional shop to install parts on their car. This is to prevent scratches, cracks or other problems during the installation.
Please consider that some of CarbonMiata products need some time to be made (4 to 6 weeks).
