thats a good point! i'm a scientist too but specialized in electronics i still have a lot to learn with composites.Certeza wrote: This concept is widely known and very easily demonstrated. Take a piece of CF (like the referenced spreader bar for example) and try to bend it. As you suggest, it will be crazy strong. You will barely be able to bend it. But.... take out a sharp heavy object and give it a smack. CF cracks rather easily under sharp impact. This is because as soon as the epoxy (which is rather brittle) gets compromised, each fiber must act as an individual directional fiber. When glued into a bundle, the fibers are incredibly strong, but individually, the fibers aren't very strong at all.
Another concern with carbon fiber is when it breaks, it makes pretty nasty and sharp fibers coming out of the cracks.