Carbon dashboard
Tesla Model 3 - Y

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Model Sport, the company that promotes a process for making carbon parts, but which one? Composite material: its determination? The usefulness of a carbon part in the different industries?

Here we will see these main points in three parts:
• Go back to the origin of the creation of carbon
• The contrasting vision of the Model Sport brand in the realization of its carbon parts
• What you can find on our online store

The product will no longer have any secrets for you as soon as you have read this paragraph.

What is a composite material

To put it simply, you have to understand that what is called a composite material represents two materials that have synthesized with each other, without ever becoming homogeneous.

This combination will give you a single element which will benefit from greater mechanical properties than if the components are used alone.

What are the types of Carbon or Texalium for your Tesla?

In fact, there is a large catalog of carbon grades and many ways to work with them.
A distinction must be made which will be important for purists: what is commercially called "carbon" actually has the name "carbon fiber composite", this name is much more correct in the world of stratification.

3K twill carbon fabric in 200gr:

Let's start our development with the most popular of all: 3K carbon twill.
In truth, the term "twill" is a designation that serves to qualify the mesh of the carbon fabric.

You can see what the twill is picking up in the image just above.
There are still several methods for weaving carbon, twill is very popular for its ability to match the shapes of the molds with a strong curve.
That said, we will not detail the type of intersection in 3/1, 2/2 and 4/4, this is not the purpose of this short presentation.

The abbreviation "3K" means that 3000 strands of carbon are part of a single frame.

Please note an illustration that will give you an idea of ​​the thickness of a carbon filament: it is about 1/20th that of a human hair.
So ​​there are different allocation, the most common are 1K, 3K, 6K, 12K.
3K is the most popular in the Tesla world.

200gr/m² evokes that the carbon fabric, before its conjugation with the resin, weighs 200 grams for a sheet of 1 meter x 1 meter.
For the Tesla community, the 3K twill in 200gr/m² is the most noticed for its aesthetic appearance considered much better than its comrades, but in no way for its mechanical endurance properties.

The unknown in its class: forged carbon

Let's say that this is a molding operation that is nothing new, but that this appellation has a name that coincides with it.
To produce it, you must first cut the carbon into small strips and arrange it more or less evenly in the mold.

Then, the positive and negative molds are put under specific temperature and compression conditions once the resin is added.
This molding technique is the most elaborate to obtain a stiffer and lighter part than any other type of carbon: all the excess resin is evacuated during compression, so you can accentuate the carbon/resin ratio in favor of carbon.

You have to go back to the 1980s to discover the first uses of forged carbon in the warhead manufacturing industry, however this manufacturing method was noticed only from its application to the brand Lamborghini.

The Texalium, the Stranger:

It is essential to make room for this material so taken for carbon. However, it is necessary to make the distinction of Texalium.

Really, Texalium is a kind of glass fabric loaded with aluminum to give it a natural highlight. It can thus be nuanced either in the mass, by mixing a dye with the resin, or on in the varnish.

Its mechanical arrangements are below the usual glass fabric (itself below the carbon fabric) and its use is purely for aesthetics.

You should know that the Texalium has been around for several years and is just managing to take its place in certain customizations in France, but that it is much more widespread and used in the United States.

Carbon: what is it?

We are going to present you multiple pieces made from this famous fiber.

Question customization, know that Model Sport is at your service. Just contact us for a quote.

Is carbon resistant?

It is legitimate to wonder if the resistance of the material is up to the task, but compared to what?

It is the relationship with other materials that must first be established.
To give you an idea: an aluminum alloy that has a physical volume equal to a carbon part will be less durable than the latter, all constraints combined.

However, this term "resistant" sums up a fact that should not be generalized.
Even though carbon is less resistant to impacts, it has surprising qualities in torsion and bending.

It is for this justification that for Tesla cars it is so common to produce ultra-thin carbon inserts which are fixed on existing parts without risk of breakage.

For model 3 or Y, the dashboard cover insert is a very good example, this part of more than 1 meter 40 can be produced in only two layers of carbon fabric, with a thickness n not exceeding 0.5 mm and routed throughout the French country or others bordering it.

How to explain the price of carbon?

Let's go back to the production of the carbon fabric to assimilate the price of it.
A single carbon fiber already requires quite a remarkable amount of method.

The most used is from a synthetic fiber, polyacrylonitrile, which will be oxidized and carbonized to give us the famous carbon fiber. It is an essentially chemical and very energy-intensive transformation.

Be aware, however, that this race for ecology is giving rise to many projects to continue to use carbon fiber for its lightness, while guaranteeing chemical-free production.

The application of bio-sourced materials is gradually emerging to eliminate chemicals on the one hand and halve the price on the other.

Then, weaving carbon fiber requires a lot of material.
Keep in mind that compared to a human hair, a carbon fiber is 20 times thinner.
To give you a price, which remains indicative, because it is subject to variations in the world economic price: €30 per square meter. This price is given for a 3K twill carbon tablecloth that weighs 200gr per square meter.

Don't forget that we must add to this the cost of the resin, which as we will see can have fully variable prices depending on its quality, and also that very often, if not all the time, a part in carbon is produced in several layers.
Then, the expertise of a laminator who knows how to install and put the materials in question in the right conditions.

What differentiates carbon for Tesla from Model Sport

Let's move on to the part that we master, because we follow all the stages of production.

Knowledge of the actual formatting of an element is required to ensure an acceptable result. It is for this argument that the creator of the Model Sport brand, designer and bodybuilder, makes every effort to deliver its know-how in the field of carbon components.

Fabric or pieces of carbon for Tesla?

It is an indisputable fact, in the 21st century carbon is mainly used for its finish, more than for its primary application: its mechanical faculties and its lightness.
We regularly talk about twisting and bending endurance, however, on a Tesla, these skills will be forgotten.

Components are expressly manufactured to enhance aesthetics and highlight the aggressiveness of the brand.

Any type of carbon, even one that will be categorized as low-end, will be able to withstand the constraints imposed on it.

To date, there are multiple categorizations of carbon stiffness. But the most used being the "HR" or High Resistance for flexibility and versatility.
The latter is the one employed by Model Sport for the production of all its carbon components.

There is also HM carbon, which is literally determined by "High Modulus". It is intended for fabrications that require extreme lightness, without any constraint being involved. And if a constraint must be administered to it, it will be systematically combined with the HR.

Same for forged carbon, it will be used to prioritize the final look.

Which resin for carbon fiber?

This is THE biggest difference that Model Sport carbon parts can boast of making, an epoxy resin making the difference.

For carbon parts that are subjected to high heat, polyester resin (the most common and the cheapest of all) will be given priority, as for the production of carbon parts in large series.

It is this resin that is used to make exhaust cartridges for motorcycles, for example.

Components subjected to loads or forces are in priority used with Epoxy, because it provides greater endurance of the composite material.
The anti-UV resin is still a step above: no yellowing over the long term.

It is for this argument that we apply this product type.

The sun's rays will therefore have little or no effect on your cabin or body components and the overall appearance will be more translucent.

The yellowing of the resin is an inconvenience not to be taken lightly if you want to keep your vehicle for several years.

The appearance may be perfect when installing the piece, but be careful as soon as summer arrives in full force, it will gradually tarnish and become opaque.
It should also be understood that the resin used will have a price directly related to its application, its quality and its resistance over time.

At this stage, it is interesting to evaluate the selling price of such a product in France:

• A kilo of Polyester resin is worth between €8 and €10
• 1kg of Epoxy resin = €50 to €60
• 1kg of anti-UV Epoxy resin = €55 to €65

What does the topcoat match on a carbon part?

This is of course the final phase of a customization project.

To guarantee almost infinite durability, at the very beginning we manufactured carbon components without any finishing paint. The problem was that production was needed without the possibility of catching up and therefore a high rate of “waste”.

This construction process results in an unacceptable scrap rate given the image that the Tesla brand wants to convey: reducing pollution and carbon emissions.
The use of a high quality topcoat seemed like a no-brainer.

It is for this argument that high quality varnish has imposed itself in our production process to "standardize" the process.
The glossy varnish is finely polished before dispatch and the matt varnish applied delicately to have a uniform configuration over the entire piece.

What kind of carbon fabric do we find on the Tesla Model S and X

While many components match in both versions, there are some differences between years.

It is for this argument that you will be asked for information on the year and month of production of your Tesla before shipment.

Tesla Model S or X, tuning up its interior

Real carbon customization is also possible for the Model S and X even if they are less numerous than the Model 3.

The real carbon will be used to modify the dashboard, the areas around the center console or even other elements to come in the future.
The carbon steering wheel is also one of the reworkable parts that will give a diametrically opposed dimension to your life on board your Tesla.

You thus have total control, during your order, over all the characteristics that the latter must have.

Model S and X: bodywork components

As for the Model S, the first element sought is the Performance-type Spoiler.

In its matte version, you will have the same look as the one present on the Performance versions of the Model S, with the difference that the Model Sport has a bonding surface and a unique internal structure.

This change is subtle, so much so that it won't be visible once the spoiler is down, however these details make all the difference.
At the time of writing, the Plaid version of the new Model S is also in the works.

The grille or the mirror caps are also parts that will receive their carbon finish.
Model Sport remains flexible and will respond to your request in case you wish to achieve finishes other than 3K twill carbon.

The carbon composite on the Tesla Model 3 and Y

The advent of carbon in the Tesla world has actually appeared since the launch of the Model 3.

Tesla's two best-selling electrics share a lot of similarities.

Model 3 and Y: their interiors and accessories

We can't talk about Model 3 and Y without talking about carbon inserts, which have become part of the Tesla culture.

Producing such a thin element in large quantities while maintaining similar quality is a technical feat. Each insert must be able to be installed without giving an "addition" effect.

The inserts find here all their interest and their quality of realization.
It is after many trials, errors and corrections that we have succeeded in producing inserts that meet your expectations.

The carbon inserts must have a bond very close to the original elements to guarantee an uncompromising covering, but also a perfect cut so that no part can be seen.

For the most demanding owners, replacement carbon components are also highly appreciated by the Tesla community.
The carbon replacement elements will give an essentially different dimension to the interior of your Tesla, for meticulous people, you will obtain a finish that meets your expectations.

Model 3 and Y: their body parts

As with the interior, the exterior of the Model 3 and Y has a number of possible upgrades. You can completely transform your Tesla using 3K twill or forged carbon. This concerns the matte or glossy finish.

As for the Model 3 and Y, the performance spoiler in its matte version is relatively busy.

This will take up its final position on the edge of the trunk and will extend the lines of your Tesla.
A more radical customization could be the swapping of the front cover for a carbon version. Two benefits: weight loss and timeless style.