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Carbon Fibre in F1 Car Body
Posted: 01 Feb 2009, 23:07
by ShiGuy
Hello, I am doing a school project in physics (AS level) on how carbon fibre is used in the body of an F1 car. I was told I need to be specific on a part of the body, so I was thinking of doing the front wing, and would like to ask if anyone has any physicsy info on the subject as its quite hard to find it on one specific part of the car. Any help? Thanks!

Re: Carbon Fibre in F1 Car Body
Posted: 01 Feb 2009, 23:42
by scarbs
I recall vistagy did a case study on carbon layup on front wings, for renault or Minardi. Gearboxes would be an interesting subject for carbon. A quick session on google should find you some PDFs or websites.
Re: Carbon Fibre in F1 Car Body
Posted: 02 Feb 2009, 00:08
by ShiGuy
Thanks for your help but do you know where I can find that link? Thank you!
Re: Carbon Fibre in F1 Car Body
Posted: 02 Feb 2009, 12:37
by scarbs
Oh come, on I'm not doing your homework for you.. simply google some key words
Carbon layup vistagy formula1
http://www.vistagy.com/downloads/VSG_Ca ... 1_2006.pdf
Re: Carbon Fibre in F1 Car Body
Posted: 04 Feb 2009, 09:34
by kilcoo316
Vistagy only look at the drape of a fibre mat. That is more design/manufacturing than why they use the carbon fibre.
I recommend you concentrate on more generic things like:
anisotropic properties (tailoring for a specific loadcase)
stiffness:weight (use the Young's modulus)
Flexural strength and tensile strength
Then relate the advantages composites have in those properties (compared to say aluminium) to the specific parts of the car.