Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-10-16 Origin: Site
In today's era of rapid development of composite materials, carbon fiber cloth and glass fiber cloth have become key players in structural reinforcement and material substitution. This is particularly true in industries such as aerospace, rail transportation, building reinforcement, sports equipment, and electronics. The choice of reinforcement material not only affects product performance but also directly impacts the balance between cost and project timeline.
This article will deeply analyze the differences between carbon fiber cloth and glass fiber cloth from four perspectives: material performance, cost application, processing and construction, and practical selection recommendations. It will also provide professional reference based on engineering practice.
Carbon fiber cloth is a high-strength, high-modulus material made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or asphalt through a high-temperature oxidation and carbonization process. It comes in unidirectional, plain, and twill styles.
Glass fiber cloth is made from alkali-free or medium-alkali glass, which is drawn, melted at high temperatures, and then woven into a cloth. It also has a variety of weave structures.
The strength and modulus of carbon fiber cloth are significantly superior to those of glass fiber cloth. The following is a comparison of typical performance parameters:
| Performance | Carbon fiber cloth | Glass fiber cloth |
| Tensile strength | 3500-7000 MPa | 2500-4500 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | 230-600 GPa | 70-85 GPa |
| Density | 1.7-1.9 g/cm³ | 2.4-2.6 g/cm³ |
| Conductivity | Conductive | Insulating |
| Toughness | Low (brittle material) | Medium, with good impact resistance |
| Thermal stability | Withstands temperatures above 300°C | Most temperatures below 150°C |
Conclusion: Carbon fiber cloth is lighter, stronger, and more stable, while glass fiber cloth excels in flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Electrical Properties: Carbon fiber is conductive and suitable for applications requiring electrostatic discharge or electromagnetic shielding; glass fiber is an excellent electrical insulator. Thermal Properties: Carbon fiber is heat-resistant and has a low thermal expansion coefficient; glass fiber, while heat-resistant, has a relatively high expansion coefficient.
Corrosion Resistance: Both materials offer good resistance to most acidic and alkaline solutions, but carbon fiber is more stable in highly corrosive environments.
Carbon fiber cloth has high raw material costs and complex processing, resulting in a market price typically 5-10 times that of glass fiber cloth. For example:
Ordinary glass fiber cloth: approximately 15-30 yuan/square meter
Ordinary carbon fiber cloth: approximately 180-500 yuan/square meter (depending on weight and brand).
Although the cost is higher, carbon fiber cloth offers a longer service life, better reinforcement, and higher long-term overall benefits.
Carbon fiber cloth applications: Aerospace components, rail transit bodies, bridge beam and slab reinforcement, high-end bicycles, and drone hulls.
Glass fiber cloth applications: Wind turbine blades, yacht hulls, building envelopes, sports equipment, and mold release surface reinforcement.
When selecting materials, it is recommended to evaluate from the following four points:
Structural strength requirements: Does it need to bear heavy loads or high-strength support?
Durability requirements: Is it in a hot and humid, corrosive or high-frequency fatigue environment?
Service life and maintenance cost: Is it sensitive to long-term operation and maintenance costs?
Budget constraints: One-time investment and affordable cost range?
Conclusion: Carbon fiber cloth is preferred for performance, and glass fiber cloth can be used as a substitute for budget-oriented.
Carbon fiber cloth: light and easy to fly, high requirements for the construction environment, usually need to be matched with vacuum introduction, autoclave, RTM or prepreg system.
Glass fiber cloth: good flexibility, easy processing, can be hand-laid, sprayed, molded, suitable for large-area complex surface laying.
Carbon fiber and epoxy resin have the strongest compatibility and can give full play to mechanical properties; glass fiber is suitable for a wider range of systems, such as unsaturated polyester, vinyl resin, epoxy resin, etc.
Tips: When selecting different fibers, ensure the overall fiber-resin system is well-matched to maximize the synergistic effects of the composite material.
Keep the construction surface dry and clean;
Strictly control the laying direction and interlayer pressure;
Use raw materials and construction guidelines provided by professional carbon fiber material suppliers to avoid structural problems and subsequent rework.
| Application Type | Recommended Materials | Reasons for Selection |
| Building Structure Reinforcement | Carbon Fiber Cloth | High strength and durability, suitable for seismic reinforcement and beam and slab repair |
| Sports Equipment | Glass Fiber Cloth | Excellent elasticity and easy processing, suitable for products such as snowboards and surfboards |
| Aerospace Components | Carbon Fiber Cloth | Lightweight and high modulus, with excellent fatigue life and heat resistance |
| Mold Manufacturing | Glass Fiber Cloth | Low cost and flexible processing, suitable for large-scale composite molds |
| Electrical Enclosures and Explosion-Proofing | Glass Fiber Cloth | Excellent electrical insulation properties, suitable for cable troughs, switch housings, etc. |
| UAV Housing | Carbon Fiber Cloth | Lightweight and strong, significantly improving flight efficiency and aircraft life |
Misconception 1: The lowest cost is the best option → Ignoring maintenance or failing to meet strength requirements;
Misconception 2: High performance is essential for all applications → Carbon fiber is "overdesigned" for certain low- and medium-load applications;
Suggestion: Set a "performance redundancy factor" based on project parameters and make appropriate configurations.
Standardized technical data and construction guidance;
Complete product system (carbon fiber cloth, prepreg, release cloth, etc.);
Customized solution support;
Reliable delivery and quality assurance.
Email: HarveyXu@revolve-cf.com
Official website: https://www.revolve-cf.com
