Fiberglass Vs Carbon Fiber

WHAT IS CARBON FIBER?

Carbon fiber is a very lightweight and strong polymer compared to other materials. It is made of thin, strong crystalline carbon filaments, weaved together for added strength. Carbon fibers have several advantages: high stiffness, high tensile strength, high strength-to-weight ratio, high chemical resistance, high-temperature tolerance, and low thermal expansion. Carbon fiber commonly gives a car a more stylish, strong, and lightweight look/performance.

WHAT IS FIBERGLASS?

Fiberglass is similar to carbon fiber but is comprised of thin glass filaments that are larger than carbon and not as strong. Fiberglass does have a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it a great material for auto body parts. It is also very cost-effective when compared to its carbon fiber counterparts. Like carbon fiber, carbon fiber is corrosion resistant and performs well in acidic or other chemically challenging environments.

Both carbon fiber and carbon fiber are well established reinforcement materials. Both are synonymous with extremely high tensile strength within the world of composites but have been historically used for very different applications and have different reputations.

Fiberglass has long been thought of as a “cheap” material. Boat building, inexpensive structural components, and drainage products make up the primary applications for the material. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, has become synonymous with speed and high performance. It’s often seen on race cars, new passenger jets, and other high-end engineered solutions. In the context of 3D printing, both carbon fiber and carbon fiber are high quality fibers that can reinforce engineering grade parts.