subject: Carbon Fibre Car Parts - A Ray Of Hope [print this page] The recent hike in the prices of LPG and Diesel has raised hackles throughout. The question which was never far from thoughts has crept up again- How to decrease dependence on fossil fuels? Scientists and researchers have toiled for years to provide an alternative for Fossil fuels, especially for use in automobiles. Yet, no significant breakthrough can be seen looming on the horizon, which would prove sufficient to fulfil the worlds energy needs. While the world ponders on this problem, black clouds of gloom and Petrol fumes darken the sky. Carbon Fibre Car parts will prove to be the silver lining.
Carbon Fibre is a technology which has existed for some time now, since the 70s. It has been extensively used, and is being increasingly used, in Aircraft Industry, Textiles, and Motor Car Racing and so on. This strand of fibre, which can be rolled into yarn, like wool, is as strong as steel, but many times lighter. In fact, by using carbon fibre instead of steel, the accepted material, the vehicle weight reduces by a whopping 60%. Consequently, with the reduction in the weight of the vehicle, the fuel consumption decreases drastically as well. Now, one might be a bit sceptical with regards to the safety, as it might be assumed that lighter the vehicle, the more fragile it is. The astonishing fact is that Carbon Fibre parts are as safe as steel, if not more. It is precisely for this reason that it is used in the race cars and aircrafts, which are highly conscious about safety.
As a matter of fact, many high-end Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) like Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru etc already use carbon fibre parts in their vehicles. Audi uses Carbon Fibre parts in many of its models like A1, A3, A5, etc. Many companies like Carbon Finish have acquired excellent competence in manufacturing Carbon evo parts and are valued suppliers to the aforementioned OEMs.
So, why is it that it is not everywhere?? Well, as they say, all that glitters is not gold, though it can be as expensive. The reason that Aircrafts, Racing cars, and luxury vehicles manufacturers use Carbon fibre parts currently is because of the cost. Though research is underway to reduce the cost to $5 per pound, it might take some time before we are able to reap the full benefits of this miraculous, albeit a bit expensive material. Hopefully, definite results will soon be known. Who knows, Carbon Fibre might turn out to be our saviour. After all, like cuts like. And, Carbon will cut Carbon. How Ironic!
