Ekoa fabric vs. galvanic corrosion.

[Mongo]

For my CF chassis, can I use Ekoa fibers as an insulator bonded between metal fixtures and the CF layers to prevent galvanic corrosion?

[John Kimball]

5 minutes ago, Mongo said:

For my CF chassis, can I use Ekoa fibers as an insulator bonded between metal fixtures and the CF layers to prevent galvanic corrosion?

Yes you can. You just want to keep the materials from coming in intimate contact with each other. But I would highly suggest just using a very thin layer of fiberglass instead. a 120 style or 105 style is most commonly used for galvanic corrosion prevention. Fiberglass is much more consistent in thickness and as it's glass, is the best insulator for galvanic corrosion.

You can also use glass beads to provide a nice bond line that will prevent intimate contact of the metallic piece and the carbon fiber. Just a few grams mixed in with the adhesive and you're good to go.

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/shop/materials-tools/resins-adhesives/bond-line-controller/bond-line-controller-group

 

[lo_0l]

I'm curious @Mongo, is there a particular reason you want to use Ekoa®? I've seen a lot of interest lately so I'm curious why you're looking to use it as opposed to something like fiberglass.

Do you use Ekoa® much or at all currently? 

[Mongo]

@lo_0l.  I understand that for a composite Ekoa is a good sound deadener.  Vibration needs to be considered.

[John Kimball]

Sound deadening is similar to insulation. Loft and volume is needed to increase the value, so adding a single ply of ekoa may provide a small amount of damping (would change the tone of a guitar for instance), but may not provide a noticeable amount of sound or vibration control. It should be noted that Ekoa is heavier and a lot less stiff than Carbon fiber, so there are significant tradeoffs when considering different materials.

Adding foam core to the carbon fiber structure would give you better results than adding different fiber materials to the layup. Cored panels are significantly stiffer, less vibration, and add some sound deadening aspects.

[Mongo]

@John KimballWhat do you mean by "Loft and volume is needed to increase the value"?  What is loft?  What is "the value"?

 

[John Kimball]

1 hour ago, Mongo said:

@John KimballWhat do you mean by "Loft and volume is needed to increase the value"?  What is loft?  What is "the value"?

 

Loft is the materials ability to rebound after being compressed or in other words, the fluffiness of the material. And the value is the relevant value for the insulation or sound absorption. For instance, more lofty insulation will have a higher “R” value which is a number assigned for how well it insulates. With sound deadening it’s similar, but most sound deadening is foam, but batting can be used as well.