"Insights on Carbon Fiber at Aptera's Electrify Expo 2024"
Aptera at Electrify Expo Vancouver 2024 - Aptera Owners Club
Notes
- 14:57 - Carbon Fiber Production
- Note: The process of making carbon fiber begins with oil, which is refined into a precursor material. The oil isn’t burned. In the case of the Aptera, it ultimately becomes a solar electric vehicle.
- Thoughts: Understanding the production of carbon fiber is essential as it highlights the sustainability aspect of electric vehicle manufacturing. Experimentation with different precursor materials could lead to more eco-friendly practices.
- 14:57 - Recycling Carbon Fiber
- Note: The carbon fiber material is recyclable.
- Additional Info: Recycling carbon fiber can significantly reduce waste and promote a circular economy in the automotive industry. Innovations in this area are crucial for reducing the environmental impact.
- 17:54 - Properties of Carbon Fiber
- Quote: "Carbon fiber is perfect! It never warps, it never moves..." - Sandy Monroe
- Thoughts: This statement suggests the superior stability of carbon fiber compared to other materials. Its reliability could be a key selling point for electric vehicles, particularly in performance and longevity.
- 18:07 - Sheet Metal Properties
- Note: Sheet metal can bend and warp; welding introduces stresses.
- Thoughts: Understanding the limitations of sheet metal is important for design considerations. Alternative materials like carbon fiber can provide advantages in structural integrity.
- 20:03 - Carbon Fiber and SMC
- Note: When using carbon fiber with Sheet Molding Compound (SMC), the properties can be modeled similar to steel.
- Additional Info: This suggests that carbon fiber can be engineered to attain desirable qualities found in traditional materials, which could enhance vehicle design and performance while keeping weight low.
Reference:
::urlcard[Aptera Joins Forces with C.P.C. Group to Accelerate Production]{src="https://aptera.us/cpc-group-agreement/"}::urlcard[Aptera's evolution from sandwich core composite to forged carbon ...]{src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoNGoCPq1Cc"}::urlcard[SMC composites progress BinC solar electric vehicles]{src="https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/smc-composites-progress-binc-solar-electric-vehicles-"}