Carbon Fibre

[Walenut]

Is carbon fibre permanently ridged when set or if it gets very hot will it distort. I have a carbon fibre V piece that has distorted and wondered if I heat it up whether I could force it back into shape?

[Rob B]

If it's carbon with good epoxy resin, the only thing it will do when you get it very hot is burn. That said, it depends if it was laminated with the correct, high temp resin, appropriate to the application intended for the part. I'm sure one of the experts will be along later.

Done right, it should be permanently rigid and you should not be able to reform with heat.

Rgds, Rob

[RickyX]

The long answer: Carbon Fibre composite normally consists of carbon firbre fabric in an epoxy resin matrix.
Epoxy resin is a thermoset polymer - thermoset polymers cannot be re-heated and softened to remould them.

The short answer: no.

R X

[Walenut]

Thanks won't try that then, must have been molded incorrectly when made. It’s a Ducati Performance part; you’d expect them to get it right wouldn’t you? Unless there is some variation between early and later models?

[Harv748]

Have you fitted it to the bike yet?

Maybe by fitting the bolts through it, and being tightened up...it may straighten?

Just a thought...may looka little warped on the table but may be OK when fitted.

Either way...if you can...take it back and get another!!!

[Walenut]

Its not far out, just doesn’t follow the radius of the radiator properly, ebay purchase, pay your money take your chance!

[RickyX]

I wouldn't worry about a bit of mismatch in profile.

Maybe you could use some double sided tape to make it match the curvature of the rad?

[adam]

Ricky, is there a part number for that tape?:D