Often, some customer friends ask, what modulus or grade of carbon fiber material is used in your bicycle frame?
Why don't we use "hi-modulus" carbon fiber in the anywhere frames?
Carbon fiber products come in various degrees of stiffness, all of them obtained by varying the way fibers are woven into the sheet during the manufacturing process. However, a higher modulus of elasticity does not mean higher quality.
There are uses for less rigid but stronger carbon fiber products. The first one that comes to mind is cost; standard modulus carbon fiber products tend to cost much less to produce, and they often benefit more from tensile strength than from stiffness.
In fact, standard modulus carbon fibers are usually high-quality. So, what changes?
Standard modulus carbon fibers have higher tensile strength. It means that they have a lower modulus of elasticity but are more resistant to impact, making them ideal for most applications except where stiffness must be prioritized above everything else.
Today´s adoption of carbon fiber products for everyday use is largely due to the versatility and cost-effectiveness of standard modulus carbon fiber. This incredible material is being used in many industries; from automobile parts to watches and clothes made of carbon fiber. These items benefit from the lightweightness and strength of carbon fiber, which is five times as strong as steel yet lighter than aluminum.
What Is Ultra-High Modulus?
Ultra-high modulus sheets are made using a different manufacturing process than standard modulus fibers. This process starts with a raw material called pitch fiber and produces sheets that are lighter and more rigid. However, the process is a lot more resource-intensive which translates to higher costs of production. Some manufacturers will create high-modulus products and market them as being of higher quality. It is then important to understand if the added stiffness and costs will actually provide increased performance or tangible advantages.
What Is The Impact Of Stiffness In Carbon Fiber Products?
It is important to note that carbon fiber products often need a mix of fiber compositions to remain functional and affordable at the same time. Products made solely from ultra-high-modulus do not necessarily bring benefits. They might even make the finished product more brittle than needed, all while increasing manufacturing costs.
Therefore, you now know that high modulus does not mean high quality. Only by using the most suitable materials in different parts can make the performance of the bicycle frame be optimized. The price will also be acceptable.
So you should be especially careful when those who blindly claim that their bicycles are all made of high modulus and the price is very cheap.
