If something is so incredibly strong, are you sure you want that to be the first thing your body contacts in an accident?

 

A very valid point. There is a REASON for the padding on your dash. Of course my next statement is going to ruffle a few feathers:

95% of the CF layed by members of this forum(And others) is cosmetic only. It is not pre-peg/vacuumed formed/heat cured with is what ultimately gives CF its incredible strength and light weight.

 

but...but...but...i thought cF drops weight and automatically gives me 20 hp gain! :-D haha

 

"95% of the CF layed by members of this forum(And others) is cosmetic only. It is not pre-peg/vacuumed formed/heat cured with is what ultimately gives CF its incredible strength and light weight."

Few of us could afford the autoclave to pressure cook the CF. Wet lay-up CF is still pretty strong stuff, you just wouldn't make an F1 car out of it.

 

All the better to split some silly ricers head open! Maybe on a race car, but seems a bit much for the street.
Even if it wasn't "comsmetic", who needs an "incredibly strong" dash? It's not like it's in some high stress environment. Anyone ever crack a dash before?

 

So it ends up being COSMETIC

 

the point is not the 'incredible' strength, the point is that you can use less material because of its strength, meaning a lighter dash.

 

mmmmmmmn... shiny carbon-fiber-y goodness...

 

Dunno 'bout all of you, but if I come in contact w/ my dash, I've probably got other problems to be concerned about regardless of CF or padded.

 

what about CF for body panels such as fenders and doors... that would net a very good weight reduction.

 

It is not pre-peg/vacuumed formed/heat cured with is what ultimately gives CF its incredible strength and light weight.

Just to give you an example of cost:
a 18" x 24" flat piece of CF, from a pre-peg, autoclaved lot is almost 80.00.

Yes weight savings are there they just cost BIG$$$$$$$$

 

how much is lexan?

 

if you don't have the cash, aluminum would be just fine. as long as you make everything right . but if you need to save the extra ounces then go cf!

 

www.uscomposites.com There is a lot more to carbon fiber than has been covered here. Some is cosmetic and some is structural. Some has strength on only one direction.
If you have ever messed with fiberglass you will find that working carbon fiber is pretty comparible.
The people at U.S. Composites can give advice and you can get them to slap you together a starter kit with enough materials to get you going.
Look at the Kevlar page for some really cool looking ****.

 

If I ended up getting a CF dashboard, it'd be to replace the abomination-of-a-dash I have right now, not really to save a couple pounds. Anyhow, in the event of a crash, hopefully it's my seatbelt that I run into, not the dash. About aluminum panels... I'd be scared of denting it, as is, it's hard enough for the exterior to keep from being dented.