Carbon Fibre Repair Kit - Image 1

Carbon Fibre Repair Kit

Carbon fibre is a high-performance composite. Combining carbon fibre cloth and epoxy resin, it is used to create high-quality composite structures and is an excellent repair system. With a very high strength-to-weight ratio, it delivers a high degree of rigidity and versatility in the repair of damaged structures. 

Each kit comes with the necessary materials and tools needed to make durable repairs.

Price range: £24.49 through £39.25

Send to a Friend

Description

Experience the ultimate in durable, on-the-go repairs with our carbon fibre repair kit.
This portable powerhouse combines a high-performance epoxy resin system with premium carbon fabric, creating a versatile composite that often outlasts the original structure. Designed for ease of use at the racetrack, canoe race, or anywhere adventure takes you, it requires no autoclaves or vacuum bags. With an extended shelf life and superior temperature stability compared to prepreg systems, it’s the perfect pre-emptive solution for fast, reliable fixes.

Applications

Carbon fibre is a highly adaptive repair material suitable for the repair of existing carbon fibre structures. In addition to checking for compatibility and undertaking a feasibility assessment, it is crucial to ensure that extensive surface preparation is conducted beforehand.

This includes: (1) identifying and rectifying the origin of any fracture or damage, (2) the surface must be thoroughly cleaned and degreased, (3) loose carbon fibre debris is removed, and (4) appropriate support is installed before the repair process begins.

Carbon fibre, known for its quick repair capabilities, offers a robust, durable, and waterproof shield that adheres well to its own material. The epoxy hardener in this kit has a fast cure time, facilitating prompt repairs on site. It boasts an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and has the property of being moulded into nearly any form. This makes it the ideal material for restoring the structure close to its original condition.

Suggested repairs include the following:

+ Carbon fibre canoes and kayaks
+ Model aircraft and remote control cars
+ Non-structural car and motorcycle parts
+ Non-structural bicycle frames
+ High-end sporting equipment
+ Components in motor racing
+ Fishing poles
+ Drone frames

Bear in mind that these repair methods are specifically for structures that are made of carbon fibre composite materials.

Downloads

Carbon Fibre Repair Kit Manual_1.4

Composite Impact Damage Presentation

Epoxy Hardener H105 SDS

Epoxy Resin H5752 SDS

TDS EP 5752 – H105

TDS EP 5752 – Resin

 

FAQs

Q. What is a carbon fibre repair kit?

A. A carbon fibre repair kit is a set of tools and materials used to repair damage to carbon fibre composites. The kit typically includes resin, hardener, and activator, as well as a variety of brushes, spatulas, and mixing cups.

Q. I’m using my carbon fibre part outside. Is a carbon fibre repair UV-resistant?

In the long-term, generally no, since epoxy resin is used. A protective coating of UV protective resin is recommended. Epoxy resins, with their UV-absorbing aromatic groups, are at risk of  UV degradation if UV light interacts with oxygen to produce radicals. Yellowing, cracking, and reduction of mechanical properties are inevitable aspects. This has been extensively reviewed via a range of scientific methods covering epoxy laminates.

Q. What are the benefits of using a carbon fibre repair kit?

Resin Library’s Carbon Fibre Repair Kits offer a number of benefits, including:

+ ease of use: these kits come with all the materials needed to make repairs and refurbishments. There are also detailed guides and instructional videos available.

+ affordable: kits are significantly more affordable than hiring a professional to repair carbon fibre damage.

+ portable: these kits are small ad easily packed, making them easy to take to track and race days

+ versatile: suitable for use on a variety of damage types

Q. Does this carbon fibre repair kit have instructions?

A. Yes, instructions are available in the Downloads tab on this product page.

Q. Can this carbon fibre repair patch be vacuum bagged?

A. No. This epoxy repair resin is intended for hand-laminating repairs only.

Q. Can I use a higher tow number, such as 9k or 12k?

A. For hand lay-up repairs made with carbon fibre, it is generally advisable to use 3k. When using higher tow numbers, the efficient infusion of resin is harder and leads to a greater chance of voids within the composite. As such, higher tow numbers are preferred for use with specialist equipment, (e.g., vacuum bags and autoclaves).  Instead, it would be advisable to create multiple layers of 3k reinforcement.

Getting Started

Carbon fibre composites are very strong, lightweight materials. Often used in the aerospace, marine, sports and automotive industries, they are both high-performing and versatile.

Damaged Carbon Fibre

The demanding conditions that carbon fibre composites are exposed to can lead to damage. This damage can take the form of as dents, cracks, debonds, delaminations and punctures. In marine environments (e.g. canoes, dinghies, yachts, etc.), water can be transported via capillary action along these cracks and along fiber–matrix interfaces. Water may collect at interior voids, leading to the softening of the epoxy resin, swelling, deformation and eventual failure. This highlights the importance of ensuring a high-quality laminate and the adequate repair in the event of a defect.

If the damage leads to a decrease in the load-carrying ability of the part, then users are presented with a choice: to repair or replace that part. 

This is a performance, economical and overall feasibility decision. Carbon fibre parts are expensive, so a repair is often preferable if the original properties of that part can be matched in the repair. 

Damage Assessment & Recommended Options

To repair a damaged carbon fibre part, there should be an initial assessment. This is often a non-destructive inspection (NDI) which is a combination of visual and non-visual methods. 

  • Damage is negligible in terms of the structural implications, then a cosmetic repair with an appropriate epoxy repair resin can be made.
  • Damage causes a slight reduction in load-carrying ability or a slight loss of carbon fibre laminate, then a replacement or repair may be more appropriate. Carbon fibre reinforcement with epoxy repair resin is a possible option.
  • Damage has caused extensive loss of part structural integrity and should be replaced. 

Carbon Fibre Repair Kits

A carbon fibre repair kit can be a helpful tool for fixing damaged carbon fibre components. However, it is important to be familiar with the material and the repair process before attempting to fix anything.

In order to implement an effective repair, it is recommended that users consult product guides and where possible test/practice in advance.

Disclaimer: these carbon fibre repair kits should only be used as a superficial or temporary fix and should not be considered a long-term solution. Resin Library is not liable for any outcomes. It is recommended you seek professional advice. 

Learn About Carbon Fibre Repairs

The general process for using this carbon fibre repair kit involves the following steps:

+ Remove excess debris, fragments and otherwise damaged material from the area to be repaired

+ Sand the damaged area with sandpaper

+ Use a solvent wipe to remove chemicals, grease and other contaminants

+ Trim the carbon fibre reinforcement fabric to size, creating a 10% excess size or a 50 mm excess

+ Prepare the epoxy resin-hardener mixture by ensuring the correct amounts are used

+ Place the trimmed carbon fibre fabric into place and apply the epoxy mixture to it using a brush or equivalent. Repeat this until a desired number of layers have been created.

+ Apply peel-ply to the patch (this is optional and for cosmetic purposes)

+ Allow curing until the resin has hardened

What is the aim of a carbon fibre repair?

Ideally, the repaired area should match the mechanical and thermal properties of the original structure. 

However, since most repairs are performed in situ, this is not always feasible. Race track days and sailing competitions necessitate the repair patches to bond to the damaged structure without the need for an autoclave or a vacuum bag, although the latter may be more accessible. This can introduce more defects than would be seen with such techniques – or with prepreg – in the form of higher porosity levels and greater resin requirements.

Types of Composite Damage

In some industries, more than 80% of composite damage occurs as a result of impact. This is via collisions with either stationary or moving obstacles. Classed as foreign object damage (FOD), it includes collisions with stationary objects, falling objects and other moving objects. Other examples include and environmental factors (e.g., UV radiation, moisture ingression, erosion) as well as instances when the mechanical properties of the composite are exceeded. 

Categories of damage experienced by thermoset polymer carbon fibre composites have been detailed in US FAA composite repair guidelines. 

These included delamination and impact-induced matrix cracks. In the contact of impact it was noted that the type of damage experienced depended on the speed and energy of impact:

  • High-energy impact at low speed = delamination in larger areas without visible damage to the exterior
  • Low-energy impact at high speed = penetration of the part without delamination. 

Matrix Cracking

Matrix cracking is believed to occur as a result of low- and medium-energy impact in a direction parallel to the fibre arrangement. In such instances, resultant cracks do not adversely affect the residual strength or stiffness of the composite, but can expose the material to environmental factors (e.g., water/moisture ingress), which can accelerate the matrix degradation (e.g. interlaminar shear and compression strength). 

Delamination

Delamination taking place at the interface between each layer (or along joined components) exhibits a reduction in stiffness and structural integrity. Matrix cracking often occurs with this type of delamination and results from the subsequent differences in the properties of each layer.

Fibre Breakage

Breaks in the fibres occur when subjected to medium-energy impact. Conversely, high-energy impact across a large area can lead to damage inside the structure, in spite of there being no external damage. In such instances, cracks may occur which involve both fibre and matrix damage as well as delamination, resulting from impact, but also excessive loading. Scratches are primarily cosmetic and usually involve only the outer layer of the resin and their full impact on the composite is limited. 

Dents

Whilst dents result from impact, they could result from underlying damage to the composite due to a compromised interior exhibiting prior damage or defective laminating (e.g, matrix cracking, broken fibres, delamination). 

Punctures

Punctures result from high-energy impact or impact with an object that has a small surface area. The result can be a penetration of the composite and more extensive damage elsewhere.

Other Damage Types

Beyond the examples listed, other damage types may result from more general erosion of the composite as a result of moisture ingress, UV damage, abrasion and heat damage. These are accelerated by the age and extent of exposure to such stressors. 

Additional information

Size

Small, Medium

PRODUCTS OFTEN PURCHASED WITH THIS ONE