Dry Carbon Fiber vs Wet Carbon: Ultimate Comparison Guide

Hi there! We make cool things from carbon fiber. We help big companies and people like you. We can make special parts just for you. Or, you can buy lots of carbon fiber from us.

Today, we want to talk about carbon fiber. You might hear words like dry carbon fiber and wet carbon fiber. What do they mean? Which one is better? Let’s find out!

The Big Question: What’s the Real Difference Between Dry Carbon Fiber and Wet Carbon?

• Problem: You want parts for your car, bike, or drone. You want them to be super strong. You want them to be super light. But then you hear about dry carbon fiber and wet carbon fiber. These words sound tricky. It is hard to know which one to pick. You don’t want to waste your money. You want the best part for your needs.

• Excitement: Just think about it! Imagine parts that make your car go faster. Picture your bike being so light, you can lift it with one hand. Think how cool your gear would look with that sleek, shiny carbon fiber look. This is what carbon fiber can do! But wait, there are two kinds we are talking about today: dry carbon and wet carbon. Choosing the right one is key.

• Solution: Don’t worry! We are here to help. We will tell you all about dry carbon fiber (some people call it dry carbon fibre). We will also explain wet carbon fiber (or wet carbon fibre). We will use easy words. By the end, you will know the difference between wet and dry carbon. You will be able to pick the best one for what you need. We make it easy to understand carbon fiber and dry carbon fiber.

First, What is Carbon Fiber? Why is it So Cool?

Let’s start with the basics. What is this cool stuff called carbon fiber?

Meet Carbon Fiber: A Super Hero Material

Carbon fiber is a super special material. Think of it like a cloth. But this cloth is not made from cotton. It is made from tiny, tiny strings. These strings are thinner than your hair! But they are super, super strong. This special cloth is called carbon fiber fabric.

To make parts, we mix this carbon fiber fabric with a sticky liquid. This liquid is called resin. When the resin gets hard, it holds the carbon fiber strings together. This makes a very strong and very light material. This is what we call a composite material. Carbon fiber is one of the most amazing composite materials.

Why People Love Carbon Fiber and Dry Carbon Fiber Parts

So, why does everyone love carbon fiber so much? And why is carbon fiber and dry carbon often talked about?

• Super Strong: Carbon fiber is stronger than steel for its weight. That means if you have a piece of carbon fiber and a piece of steel the same weight, the carbon fiber will be much stronger! This high strength is a big deal.
• Super Light: Carbon fiber is also very light. Think about a feather. Carbon fiber parts can be almost that light but still very strong. This makes it a lightweight composite.
• Looks Cool: Carbon fiber has a neat look. You can often see the weave of the carbon fiber fabric. It looks high-tech and sporty.

Because it is so strong and light, carbon fiber is used in many amazing things. You can find carbon fiber in:

• Fast race cars and sports cars. Many dream of carbon fiber cars.
• Airplanes and spaceships (applications such as aircraft parts).
• Fast boats.
• Bikes that are easy to carry.
• Sports gear like tennis rackets and hockey sticks.
• Drones that fly high and fast.
• Even parts for carbon fiber motorcycles.

Carbon fiber helps make these things faster, stronger, and better. Now, let’s look at the two main ways we make carbon fiber parts: dry carbon and wet carbon.

All About Dry Carbon Fiber: The Super Strong Choice

First up is dry carbon fiber. This is often seen as the best of the best.

What is Dry Carbon Fiber (or Dry Carbon)?

What makes dry carbon fiber special? The big secret is something called pre-preg. Pre-preg means “pre-impregnated.” That’s a big word! It just means the special carbon fiber fabric already has the sticky resin soaked into it. It’s perfectly measured by a machine. So, the carbon fiber sheets come ready to use.

So, dry carbon means the resin is already part of the carbon fiber fabric before we start making the part. There is no messy, wet resin to add by hand. The amount of resin is just right. This is why it’s called dry carbon. The resin is there, but it’s in a ‘drier’, more solid state on the pre-preg material.

How We Make Dry Carbon Fibre Parts

Making parts from dry carbon fibre is a careful job. Here’s how it works:

1. We take the pre-impregnated carbon fiber sheets. These sheets are kept cold so the resin stays just right.
2. We cut the pre-preg sheets into shapes.
3. We lay these shapes into a mold. A mold is like a cookie cutter; it gives the part its shape.
4. Then, the mold with the pre-preg carbon fiber goes into a special bag. We suck all the air out of the bag.
5. Next, it goes into a giant, hot oven. This oven is called an autoclave. The autoclave uses heat and high pressure. This squeezes the carbon fiber layers together and cures the resin.
6. This manufacturing process makes the dry carbon fiber part super strong and super light.

This whole process is very exact. It makes sure every dry carbon fiber part is perfect.

Good Things About Dry Carbon Fiber

There are many good things about dry carbon fiber:

• Super Strong and Super Light: This is the biggest plus! Dry carbon fiber has the best strength for its weight. The pre-preg material has the perfect amount of resin. Not too much, not too little. This makes the parts very strong without being heavy. It uses less resin overall.
• Neat and Tidy: Because the resin is already in the carbon fiber fabric, the parts come out very clean. The weave of the carbon fiber looks perfect.
• Always the Same: Every dry carbon fiber part made this way is almost exactly the same. This is good for making lots of parts that need to be identical.
• Less Waste: The pre-preg process can lead to less wasted resin.
• Looks Great: Dry carbon fiber often has a smooth matte finish or a soft satin look. But it can also be made with a gloss finish if you like. The quality of the weave (like a twill weave) is usually top-notch.

Is There a Downside to Dry Carbon?

With all these good things, is there anything not so good about dry carbon? Well, the main thing is cost.

• It Costs More: The pre-preg carbon fiber sheets are more expensive. The autoclave oven is a big, costly machine. The whole manufacturing process takes more time and skill. So, dry carbon fiber parts cost more money than wet carbon parts.

Getting to Know Wet Carbon Fiber: Good and Not So Costly

Now let’s talk about the other kind: wet carbon fiber.

What is Wet Carbon Fiber (or Wet Carbon)?

Wet carbon fiber is made using a different method. This method is often called a wet lay-up. With wet carbon, we start with dry carbon fiber fabric. This carbon fiber fabric does not have any resin in it yet. The sticky liquid resin is applied manually to the dry carbon fiber fabric when we are making the part. This is why it’s called “wet” carbon.

How We Make Wet Carbon Fibre Parts

Making wet carbon fibre parts is a bit different:

1. First, we take the dry carbon fibre sheets or woven fabric.
2. We cut this dry carbon fiber fabric into shapes.
3. We place these shapes into a mold.
4. Then, we mix the liquid resin with a hardener. This makes the resin ready to use.
5. We carefully paint or roll this wet resin onto the carbon fiber fabric in the mold. We make sure all the carbon fiber is soaked. This step of applying resin is done by hand.
6. Sometimes, we use a vacuum bag to help squeeze out extra resin and air bubbles.
7. The part then needs to dry and get hard. This is called curing. Wet carbon parts can often cure at room temperature. They don’t always need a big, hot autoclave.

Good Things About Wet Carbon Fiber

Wet carbon fiber has its own good points:

• Costs Less: This is the biggest reason people choose wet carbon. The raw material (dry carbon fiber fabric and separate resin) costs less than pre-preg. The tools and process are simpler. So, wet carbon fiber parts are usually cheaper. Wet carbon is typically favored for projects where budget is a major concern.
• Easier to Make Some Shapes: For some simple shapes or one-off custom parts, the wet lay-up process can be a bit easier and quicker to set up.

What’s Not So Great About Wet Carbon Fiber?

But there are some things to keep in mind with wet carbon fiber:

• More Resin, More Weight: Because the resin is applied manually, it’s hard to get the amount of resin just perfect. Often, wet carbon parts use more resin than dry carbon parts. Extra resin adds weight but not always extra strength. So, wet carbon parts are often heavier than dry carbon fiber parts of the same size.
• Not Always as Strong: The strength of wet carbon can vary. It depends on how well the resin was applied and how much resin was used. It might not be as strong or as stiff as a dry carbon fiber part.
• Parts Might Be Different: Since the resin is applied by hand, each part might be a little different. The thickness or the amount of resin might not be exactly the same from one part to the next.
• Air Bubbles: If not done very carefully, tiny air bubbles can get trapped in the resin. These bubbles can make the part weaker.
• Looks: While wet carbon can look good (often very gloss due to a thick clear coat), the weave might not look as perfect or as flat as in dry carbon.

Dry Carbon vs Wet Carbon: Let’s See the Score!

So, we’ve learned about dry carbon fiber and wet carbon fiber. Now let’s put them side-by-side. This is the big dry carbon vs wet carbon showdown!

How They Are Made: Pre-preg Shiny Sheets vs Dry Woven Fabric and Sticky Resin

This is the main difference between wet and dry.

• Dry Carbon Fiber:
  • Uses pre-preg carbon fiber sheets. This means the carbon fiber fabric is pre-impregnated with resin by a machine before we even start. The resin is spread out very evenly.
  • The manufacturing process often uses an autoclave (a special oven with high heat and pressure) to cure the part. This makes it super strong.
• Wet Carbon Fiber:
  • Starts with dry carbon fiber fabric (manufactured using raw carbon fibre sheets that are not yet treated with resin).
  • The liquid resin is applied manually at the lay-up stage. A person brushes or rolls the sticky resin onto the carbon fiber by hand.
  • It often cures at room temperature or in a simple oven.

The Amount of Resin: Why Less Resin is Better

The amount of resin used is very important. Resin holds the carbon fiber strings together. But too much resin just adds weight without making the part much stronger.

• Dry Carbon Fiber:
  • Has just the right amount of resin needed. Because the resin is put on by a machine in pre-preg sheets, it’s very exact. This means less resin overall. The resin to carbon fiber ratio is very high and consistent.
• Wet Carbon Fiber:
  • Can have too much resin. When resin is applied manually, it’s easy to use more resin than needed. This extra resin makes the part heavier.

Strength and Being Light: Dry Carbon Fiber for Top Power

This is where dry carbon fiber really shines.

• Dry Carbon Fiber:
  • It’s much stronger for its weight. This is because of the perfect resin amount and the autoclave curing process. It has excellent stiffness.
  • This makes it the best choice for parts that need to be very strong and very light, like for racing or airplanes.
• Wet Carbon Fiber:
  • It is still strong, much stronger than plastic or fiberglass. But it’s usually not as strong or as light as dry carbon fiber.
  • The strength can also be less consistent from part to part.

Looks and Finish: Matte, Gloss, and Weave Perfection

Both types can look great! The final look – like a matte (not shiny) or gloss (very shiny) finish – can be applied to both.

• Dry Carbon Fiber:
  • Often has a very clean, smooth look. The carbon fiber weave (like a twill weave or plain weave) tends to look very flat and perfect because of the pressure used in making it.
  • It can be finished to be matte, satin (a little shiny), or gloss.
• Wet Carbon Fiber:
  • Wet carbon typically applies a thicker gel coat or clear coat on top. This often gives it a very deep, gloss look, which many people like.
  • The weave might look a bit wavy or less perfect under the thick resin layer.
  • It can also be finished as matte or satin, but gloss is common.

Cost: Why the Price is Different

This is often a big deciding factor.

• Dry Carbon Fiber:
  • Is more expensive. The pre-preg material (sometimes from top makers like Hexcel) costs more. The autoclave and other tools are costly. The manufacturing process takes more time and skill.
• Wet Carbon Fiber:
  • Is less expensive. The raw material (dry carbon fiber fabric and liquid resin) is cheaper. The process is simpler and doesn’t always need expensive machines. This makes it a good choice for the lower end market or for cosmetic carbon counter parts.

Quick Look Table: Difference Between Wet Carbon and Dry Carbon Fiber

Here’s a simple table to show the main points of dry carbon vs wet carbon:

Which One for Me? Choosing Between Dry Carbon Fiber and Wet Carbon Fiber

So, now you know a lot about dry carbon vs dry. Oh, wait, I mean dry carbon vs wet carbon! How do you choose?

Pick Dry Carbon Fiber If…

You should choose dry carbon fiber if:

• You need the very best performance. You need parts that are as strong and as light as possible. For example, parts for racing carbon fiber cars or drones.
• Every single ounce or gram of weight matters. This is true for applications such as aircraft parts or high-level sports equipment.
• You want the highest quality, most perfect-looking carbon fiber parts. The kind where the carbon fiber weave is flawless.
• You need very high strength and stiffness (how much it bends).
• Cost is not the biggest worry, and quality is number one.

Pick Wet Carbon Fiber If…

Wet carbon fiber can be a good choice if:

• Cost is a big thing for you. You want the carbon fiber look and good strength, but you have a budget.
• The part is more for looks than for extreme performance. For example, carbon fiber parts like car mirror covers, engine covers, or interior trim pieces.
• You are making a one-of-a-kind part, and the simpler wet lay-up process works for you.
• You are looking at options for the lower end market or for cool-looking carbon counter parts that don’t need to be super light.

What Does Your Project Need? Think About It.

To choose, ask yourself:

• How super strong does this part really need to be?
• How super light does it need to be?
• What is my budget for this part?
• Is it more for looks, or more for making something go faster or work better?

Thinking about these things will help you pick between dry carbon fiber and wet carbon fiber.

More Fun Facts About Carbon Fiber (Including Dry Carbon and Wet Carbon Types)

Let’s learn a few more cool things about carbon fiber!

Carbon Fiber Weaves: What are 3k Weave, 2×2 Twill Weave, and Plain Weave?

You might hear about different carbon fiber weaves. The weave is the pattern you see in the carbon fiber fabric.

• Plain Weave: This looks like a simple checkerboard pattern. One string goes over, then under, then over, then under. It’s strong and easy to work with.
• Twill Weave: This is very popular. It looks like diagonal lines in the pattern. A common one is 2×2 twill weave. This means one string goes over two other strings, then under two strings. Twill weave is a bit more flexible than plain weave, so it’s good for parts with curves. You often see this in automotive parts like a car hood or spoiler.
• 3k, 6k, 12k: The “k” means thousand. So, 3k means there are 3,000 tiny carbon fiber strings (filaments) in each bundle or “tow” of the weave. 3k is very common. Bigger “k” numbers mean thicker bundles.

The type of weave doesn’t really decide if it’s dry carbon or wet carbon. You can use any weave for either method. But with dry carbon fiber, the perfection of the weave often shows through more clearly.

Is Dry Carbon Always Matte? Is Wet Carbon Always Gloss?

This is a common question! Many people think dry carbon is always matte (not shiny) and wet carbon is always gloss (very shiny). But this is not true!

The finish (how shiny it is) is a separate step. It’s like painting a wall. You can choose flat paint, eggshell paint, or glossy paint for any wall. It’s the same with carbon fiber.

• Dry carbon fiber parts can be made with a matte finish, a satin finish (a little bit shiny), or a high gloss finish. The matte look is popular for dry carbon because it looks very technical and clean.
• Wet carbon fiber parts are often given a thick, clear epoxy resin topcoat that makes them look very gloss. But they can also be finished to be matte or satin.

So, you can’t always tell if it’s dry carbon or wet carbon just by how shiny it is.

Carbon Fiber vs. Other Stuff: Aluminium and Fiberglass

Why use carbon fiber instead of other materials like aluminium or fiberglass?

• Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminium: Aluminium is a light metal. But carbon fiber can be even lighter than aluminium AND much stronger. For the same strength, a carbon fiber part can be much lighter than an aluminium part.
• Carbon Fiber vs. Fiberglass: Fiberglass is another composite material. It’s made with glass strings instead of carbon strings. Fiberglass is cheaper than carbon fiber. But carbon fiber is much, much stronger and stiffer (bends less) than fiberglass. It’s also lighter.

That’s why carbon fiber is used when you need the best strength and lightest weight. If you’re building something where every bit of performance counts, like parts for high-speed machines, you’ll often find they are made of carbon fiber.

We Are Your Carbon Fiber Experts! (Your Go-To Carbon Composite Manufacturer)

We know a lot about carbon fiber! As a leading carbon composite manufacturer, we love working with this amazing material. We can help you with all your carbon fiber needs.

Need Special Carbon Fiber and Dry Carbon Fiber Parts?

Do you have an idea for a special part made from carbon fiber?

• We do OEM/ODM. This means we can make carbon fiber parts for your company, with your brand name on them.
• Our custom composite factory is ready to help. We can make almost any custom carbon fibers part you can dream up, using either dry carbon fiber or wet carbon fiber methods. We will help you choose the best way.

Want to Buy Carbon Fiber Sheets or Many Parts?

Maybe you need a lot of carbon fiber material or many of the same part.

• We offer wholesale! You can buy carbon fiber sheets (like carbon fibre sheet in pre-preg form or dry fabric) or finished carbon fiber parts in large amounts from us. We give good prices for bulk orders.
• We have many types of carbon fiber, including top-quality pre-preg material for making the best dry carbon fiber parts. We also have materials for wet carbon projects.

We are here to help you get the best carbon fiber solution.

Your Questions on Dry Carbon vs Wet Carbon – Answered!

Here are some common questions people ask about dry carbon vs wet carbon.

Is dry carbon fiber stronger than steel?

Yes, for its weight! If you take a piece of dry carbon fiber and a piece of steel that weigh the same, the dry carbon fiber will be much stronger. This is called strength-to-weight ratio. Carbon fiber is a champ here.

How long do dry carbon fiber parts last?

Good quality dry carbon fiber parts are very durable and can last a very long time. They don’t rust like metal. They need to be protected from too much sun (UV light) with a special coating, but if they are made well and you take care of them, they will last for years and years.

Can you fix dry carbon fiber?

Yes, often dry carbon fiber can be repaired if it gets damaged. It takes special skills and materials, but it’s often possible to fix cracks or holes in carbon fiber parts.

What is Hexcel carbon fiber?

Hexcel is a very famous company. They are one of the biggest makers of carbon fiber materials in the world. Hexcel makes high-quality carbon fiber fabric and, very importantly, pre-preg carbon fiber. Many companies that make top-end dry carbon fiber parts use pre-preg material from Hexcel because it is so good and consistent.

What does carbon fiber-reinforced polymer mean?

This is just a fancy way of saying “carbon fiber.” Carbon fiber parts are made of two main things:

1. The carbon fiber strings (the reinforcement).
2. The sticky stuff that holds them together, which is a type of plastic called a polymer (like epoxy resin). So, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (often shortened to CFRP) means a polymer that is made strong with carbon fiber. This is what a composite material is. Both dry carbon and wet carbon parts are types of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer.

Does dry carbon shrink?

All materials can change size a tiny bit when they get hot or cold. This is normal. For dry carbon fiber parts manufactured using raw carbon fibre sheets (meaning, made from pre-preg), the amount they shrink or grow is very, very small. The autoclave process helps make them very stable. So, good quality dry carbon parts hold their shape very well.

So, Dry Carbon Fiber or Wet Carbon Fiber? The Final Word.

We’ve learned a lot about dry carbon vs wet carbon. It’s clear they are different!

• Dry carbon fiber (made with pre-preg and often an autoclave) is the choice when you need the very best: the lightest weight, the highest strength, and the most perfect finish. It uses less resin. It costs more because the materials and the manufacturing process are more advanced. Dry carbon refers to this special manufacturing process rather than just the look.
• Wet carbon fiber (made by applying resin manually to dry carbon fiber fabric – the wet lay-up method) is a good choice when looks are important, but cost is also a big factor. It’s usually a bit heavier and not quite as strong as dry carbon, but it’s still a great material. Wet carbon typically applies to carbon fibre where liquid resin is applied manually at the lay-up stage.

Knowing the difference between wet and dry carbon helps you choose the right material for your amazing project. Whether you need parts for a race car, a cool drone, or just want to add some awesome carbon fiber style, understanding these two types is key! And remember, as a carbon composite manufacturer, we can help you with all your custom carbon fibers needs.

Key Takeaways: Dry Carbon vs Wet Carbon

Here are the most important things to remember:

• Dry Carbon Fiber uses pre-preg (resin already in the fabric) and is cured under heat and pressure (autoclave). This makes it super light, super strong, and high quality. It costs more.
• Wet Carbon Fiber uses dry fabric, and liquid resin is applied manually. It’s less costly but often heavier and not as consistently strong as dry carbon.
• Dry carbon has less resin and a better resin-to-fiber ratio, which is key to its performance.
• Both dry carbon and wet carbon can have matte or gloss finishes; the finish is separate from the manufacturing method.
• Choose dry carbon for top performance and when weight is critical (e.g., aerospace, racing).
• Choose wet carbon for cosmetic parts, interior trim, or when budget is a primary concern.
• The main difference between wet and dry carbon comes down to the manufacturing process and the way the resin is applied.