What is important besides sheet size
The format determines whether the part fits and how the blanks are laid out. But for the operation of the structure, the thickness, structure of the laminate, direction of the layers, surface, edge quality and condition of the material after processing are important.
If you need not a whole sheet, but a finished contour, the request should separate the requirements for the source material and the manufactured part. This makes it easier to check tolerances, holes, chamfers and acceptance criteria.
Input data for selection
| Data group | What to indicate | Why is this necessary? |
|---|---|---|
| Geometry | Dimensions, outline, holes, cutouts, radii | Local zones can determine the decision more than the overall size |
| Supports and connections | Fasteners, clamps, gluing, contact pads | Load is transmitted through specific nodes |
| Load | Direction, character, repeatability, permissible deflection | Thickness is assessed in the requirements system |
| Processing | Cutting, drilling, chamfering, edge requirements | Technology and allowances need to be agreed upon |
| Control | Dimensions, surface, edge, sample or protocol | Acceptance criteria must be clear before ordering |
Selection sequence
The operating order reduces the risk of randomly selecting a single digit:
- fix the geometry and fastening conditions;
- describe the load and permissible deformation;
- highlight holes, cutouts and force transmission areas;
- determine whether a whole sheet or a finished part is needed;
- agree on surface, edge and tolerances;
- verify the solution by calculation, sample or test at the risk scale.
Delivery format and cutting
The current CORDTEX CARBON structure includes sheets of several formats and thicknesses. The Technical Center deliberately does not repeat the assortment and prices: current options are checked in the sheet category.
When laying out, take into account the direction of the material, the distances between parts, allowance, fixation of the workpiece and marking requirements. For a series, it is useful to agree on a control part before full launch.
Sheet and fabric - different stages of material
Carbon fabric remains a flexible reinforcement and requires molding with a binder. The carbon sheet has already been manufactured as a rigid flat laminate. Therefore, the sheet is selected when the geometry of the part fits into the plane and the main next step is cutting, drilling, edge preparation and assembly.
Thickness indicates the geometric size, but in itself does not reveal the structure of the laminate. Two sheets of the same thickness may differ in layer pattern, surface finish, tolerances, and behavior in a particular part. For responsible use, this information is confirmed by position documents and control results.
It is convenient for a beginner to divide the choice into three questions: whether the contour fits into an accessible format, whether the selected design meets the specified criterion, and whether holes and edges can be made without violating the requirements of the assembly.
Example of a task for a flat part
The content task includes a contour file with units, a material or a request to select it, the required thickness or input data for checking it, quantity, critical dimensions, orientation, surface and edge requirements. The holes through which the load is transmitted are separately listed and the method of fastening is explained.
If only the original sheet is needed, indicate the minimum usable format and acceptable cutting. If a finished part is needed, measurement bases, markings, completeness requirements and a decision on a control sample are added. This prevents a situation where the supply matches the workpiece size but is not suitable for assembly.
Errors when selecting a sheet
- assign thickness only to the size of the frame or panel;
- ignore stress concentrations near holes;
- consider all carbon sheets to be the same in structure;
- do not specify surface and edge requirements;
- mix the price of the sheet and the price of the finished part without describing the processing.
Carbon sheet mass estimate
Enter the density of the finished material from its specification or a confirmed measurement. Fibre density is not a substitute for laminate density.
m = W × t × L × ρ / 10⁹
Dimensions in mm, density in kg/m³, result in kg. W is width, t thickness and L length.
This is a geometric estimate for a straight, constant-section blank. Cutouts, inserts, coatings and packaging are excluded. Actual mass depends on dimensions and material; confirm it by weighing.
T300 and T700: specify the finished sheet
Our warehouse sheet programme uses T300; factory orders can be agreed in T300 or T700. Specify the grade, laminate structure, surface and required documents. The grade alone does not establish finished-sheet strength, stiffness or density. Agree the finished-material specification before comparing alternatives.
Worked example: choose a blank for CNC cutting
Suppose you need eight rectangular 180×140 mm parts of the same thickness. On a 500×600 mm carbon sheet, a simple unrotated grid fits floor(500/180) = 2 across and floor(600/140) = 4 along: eight positions. The parts occupy 8 × 180 × 140 = 201,600 mm², or 67.2% of the blank area. This is a geometric screening calculation before kerf, edge margins, fixturing, fibre orientation and rejects. It does not guarantee eight accepted parts.
Provide a DXF/STEP file and a drawing with units; specify sheet thickness and layup, fibre orientation, tolerances, edge requirements and quantity. The manufacturing engineer checks webs, fasteners, allowed rotations and the actual cutting layout. See the CNC file-preparation guide and the 500×600 mm sheet catalogue page.
If part orientation follows the reinforcement, do not rotate parts solely to improve yield without approval. A quotation needs the verified layout and available material; the example provides neither a price nor a guaranteed yield.
. Figures are derived from the stated dimensions, not a test of a particular product.
Frequently asked questions
How to Choose Carbon Sheet Thickness?
Requires geometry, supports, load, deflection capacity, cutouts, joints and inspection criteria. There is no universal table based only on size.
Can I order a part by DXF?
DXF is suitable for flat contour, but the specification also specifies thickness, quantity, scale/units, holes, edge requirements and reference dimensions.
What is more important: format or thickness?
These are different restrictions. The format is responsible for the placement of the part, the thickness is involved in the design solution along with the structure and geometry.
Can carbon sheet be drilled?
Machining capability and technology depend on the part, hole, and edge requirements. They should be agreed upon before production.
Are sheets available?
Availability and price are subject to change and are confirmed on the sales page or in response to the application.
Do I need a sample?
For a new circuit, critical load or series, the control sample reduces the risk until full volume is started.
Technical references and scope
CORDTEX CARBON editorial guide, expanded . These independent publisher documents provide background on methods and materials. They are not a certificate or data sheet for a CORDTEX product; specifications, processing conditions and suitability must be checked for the selected item and lot.