Bonding Carbon Fiber Tube To Aluminum

Only a small amount of force is required to fully seat the tube.

Bonding carbon fiber tube to aluminum.

But did try it with a carbon rod telescoped into an alloy tube and it has never flinched. 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. Make sure that the component slides in straight and is not cocked off center. I am having issues bonding an aluminum plate to a carbon fiber structure.

Unless noted on a specific product all of our carbon fiber tubing is made with ud prepreg on the inside and then will have either the ud exterior ply or a fabric ply. Joining carbon fiber tubes requires the use of what are known as tube clusters. The simple answer just the exterior ply of material. 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. Next up was abrading the carbon fiber with 180 grit sandpaper to add tooth for the epoxy to key into. Equally important was prepping the aluminum with the same steps. Now imagine simply cutting off all of the tubes leaving about an inch or two after the welds.

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. The seperation occurs between both the aluminum plate and the adhesive and the adhesive and carbon fiber. Begin pressing the aluminum bondable component into the carbon fiber tube. It is a 2 x3 aluminum plate bonded inside a carbon fiber square.

A quick vacuum followed by more sanding in a few areas that where missed. The aluminum plate sees a fair amount of shock due to the application. Our carbon fiber large tubes come with a texture finish on both the inside and outside for easy bonding and painting. 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. Another quick vacuum and acetone wipe down to remove any remaining dust oil and waxes. This tubing is designed for large applications such as telescope projects or light weight drums.