As for the join between the elements, each piece is worked by hand and adjusted to guarantee a perfect finish.
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Want to know what makes Model Sport carbon special? Composite material: its characterization? Really, what is a carbon part?
Let's present these ideas around three main axes:
• Go back to the origin of the creation of carbon
• What makes Model Sport a brand well placed to work in the field
• This that you can find
The product will have no more secrets for you as soon as you have explored this paragraph.
What is a composite material?
A composite material is an agglomeration of two elements which cannot marry together harmoniously, but together they give a material with superior mechanical properties.
What kind of carbon or Texalium for your Tesla?
There are different types of carbon and above all multiple ways to present it and place it in its final location.
What most people call "carbon" is actually defined as "a composite of carbon fiber", this name is much more correct in the world of lamination.
3K twill in 200gr, the use of carbon fabric:
3K carbon in twill weave is undoubtedly the most common of its variety, let's start with this one. Each way of weaving carbon has a specific name, that of twill is one of them.
To give you an idea, the figure just above shows you how each carbon weft and weave, with each other. There are different methods for weaving carbon, twill is very noted for its ability to adapt to the shapes of molds with pronounced curves.
To simplify as much as possible, we will not detail the type of interlacing in 3/1, 2/2 and 4/4.
The sign annotated "3K" designates the total number of filaments which constitutes a single carbon frame, in total unit: 3000 filaments. As a rough guide, a strand of carbon is only 1/20th the thickness of a hair. There are therefore multiple denominations, the most common are 1K, 3K, 6K, 12K.
3K is the most widely used in the Tesla world. Finally, to finish the description of the carbon fabric, if it is baptized 200gr/m², this characterizes its weight on a surface of 1 meter x 1 meter before it is associated with resin.
The combination of carbon characteristics that you come across the most is the twill weave in 3K and 200gr/m², not for its mechanical features, but more for its aesthetics and its widespread application in many industries, which makes it makes it cheap.
Forged carbon:
We may think that this name of "forged carbon" is commercial or overused, however, its development operation requires equipment and implementation techniques that are already a few years old and above all, which really makes it more efficient .
The "forged carbon" method is actually very simple and ingenious: the carbon fiber is cut into small pieces and then placed in the mould. Once the resin has been added, the mold is put under compression (with a positive and negative master) then heated to high temperature.
This production process makes it possible to intensify the density of carbon fiber per square centimeter compared to the resin and thus gives a stiffer and lighter part.
You have to go back to the 1980s to discover the first uses of forged carbon in the warhead production industry, however this production process only became noticed when it was used by the Lamborghini brand.
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. To roughly characterize what Texalium is: we can assimilate it to glass fabric which is loaded with aluminum and then dyed, either in the mass with resin, or with the finishing varnish with a color of your choice.
Its mechanical properties are below the usual glass fabric (itself below the carbon fabric) and its use is purely for aesthetics.
Be aware that Texalium is a material that has existed for years, but is little used in France. It is also much more widespread and on the Atlantic side.
Carbon: what is it?
For this part, we will briefly give you insights into what is possible to develop with carbon fiber.
Question customization, know that Model Sport is at your disposal. Just contact her for a quote.
Can carbon be subjected to high loads?
Frequently asked, this is a request that deserves a little more in-depth development. In reality, it is more accurate to wonder about the possible comparisons with other materials.
At equal volume, a carbon part will be stronger and much lighter than an aluminum alloy, for example. However, this term "resistant" summarizes a fact that should not be generalized, because an aluminum part will perhaps behave better during impact, which will depend on the weave used for carbon in comparison.
This is one of the aspects of carbon that allows us to develop components as thin as inserts. The Model 3 or Y dashboard insert is a good example of this with a length of 1m40 and a thickness not exceeding 0.5mm. While knowing that they are routed throughout the French country or others who are border.
How to explain the price of carbon?
To understand its final price, you must first understand its production: The method of shaping a carbon weft is already quite complicated.
The technique that prevails over the others is composed in this way: a specific synthetic fiber, a polyacrylonitrile, will be oxidized and then calcined to finally deliver what is called carbon fiber. It takes a lot of energy to achieve such a chemical mutation.
As you can imagine, the production of carbon fiber involves a number of chemicals that are not actually good for the environment. It is for this reason that many institutions are creating projects to continue the production of carbon fiber in the future, while drastically reducing the application of unnatural products.
There is an exponential growth in demand for the use of bio-based materials to remove the vast majority of chemicals and also cut the price in half. The carbon production operation also requires expensive and bulky specialized equipment, not to mention its weaving.
The strand of carbon remains an absolutely fantastic creation, if we keep in mind that it is only 1/20th the thickness of a human hair. 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. It is also necessary to consider the price of the resin used and the number of layers to be applied. The fees of an experienced laminator are, finally, to be assessed.
What differentiates carbon for Tesla from Model Sport
A part that we are lucky to master, because we scrupulously analyze all the stages of production. One of the principles that will assure you of positive results in any field is “who are you listening to?” Listen only to people who have the results you want to have”.
You must therefore turn to the creator of the company Model Sport, designer and body builder, to find the know-how necessary for the development of carbon components for your Tesla.
A Tesla dressed in carbon weave or its laminated version?
The carbon fabric used is consciously focused on its aesthetic configuration before its mechanical provisions. No stress, most of the time, will be subject to the components installed on your Tesla.
These elements simply mark the increased sportiness of any vehicle from the American firm. Any type of carbon, even one that will be categorized as low-end, will be able to withstand the constraints imposed on it.
However, there are several categories that will define the stiffness of carbon, the most common being HR (high resistance), as it is the most flexible and versatile. To design and manufacture in series the carbon elements of Model Sport, it is indeed the HR that will be discussed.
We can compare it to the HM (High Modulus) which will be much lighter. But on the other hand, it is also much more brittle, so brittle that it must be combined with HR to guarantee its function. Forged carbon illustrates this use primarily for its appearance than for its layout, however, it has many different characteristics.
Choosing the right resin with the right carbon
Here we enter a most eminent domain of this description: the resin. Mass production of some carbon components is usually produced with polyester resin.
It is inexpensive and resists high heat fairly well. In the motorcycle industry, polyester resin is used in combination with carbon to manufacture exhaust cartridges. With regard to the production of carbon parts subject to potential loads, the epoxy resin will provide the whole composite material with greater resistance.
The anti-UV resin is still a step above: no yellowing in the long term. It is for this reason that we apply this type of product. Apart from its more translucent appearance, the anti-UV Epoxy resin will resist solar attacks. This is the strongest point of this type of resin: the parts will not yellow in a few years.
Not mentioning this point is a lack of knowledge: if the treatment is not present, beware of too hot summers which will give the carbon parts a duller appearance. It should also be understood that the resin used will have a price directly related to its application, its quality and its durability.
At this stage, it is interesting to observe the selling price of such a product in France:
• €8 to €10 for a kilogram of Polyester resin
• €50 to €60 for per kilogram of Epoxy resin
• €55 to €65 for the kilogram of anti-UV Epoxy resin
A coat of paint to guarantee an optimal finish
The finishing varnish is the last touch necessary for the production of carbon parts. In the interests of ultimate quality, we had produced parts without topcoats at the very beginning, which required uncompromising production quality the first time around.
Tesla's nerve center is to help reduce pollution, so the high scrap rate of this production method was ultimately a problem. The use of a top quality topcoat seemed obvious.
It is for this reason that the high quality varnish has become essential in our production process to "standardize" the process. The application of the matte varnish is carried out with care, as well as the polishing of the parts with a glossy finish to guarantee a perfect appearance.
Carbon weaving on the Tesla Model S and X
At first glance, the two vehicles all have similar interior elements. However, a certain number of parts remain quite distinct depending on the year of registration.
In most cases, we therefore call the owner, after ordering, to find out more information about the vehicle.
Tesla S or X interior trim
Real carbon customization is also possible for the Model S and X even if there are fewer of them than the Model 3.
The dashboard, the cup holder area or even the center console can receive a trim that differentiates it from the original.
The predominant point, the steering wheel, can also benefit from a fine-tuning with leather or Alcantara trim, depending on your choice. You thus have total control, during your order, on all the characteristics of the latter.
Exterior parts of Model S and X
The electric sedan par excellence first receives the Performance spoiler. Always keen to make a difference, the matt Performance spoiler will benefit for the Model Sport version from a reworked bonding surface and a lighter internal structure.
This difference will not be seen in any case once the Spoiler is installed. At the time of writing, the Plaid version of the new Model S is also in progress. The carbon finish is so versatile and in demand as components such as the mirrors or even the grille.
Generally in glossy or matte finish, carbon will be in most cases 3K twill, however if you want a creation based on Texalium or forged carbon, send us a request directly by phone or email , so we can provide you with a personalized quote for your Model S or X.
Carbon elaborations on Model 3 and Y
The Tesla Model 3 is the quintessential electric sedan of its time, with a number of impressive carbon-based upgrades.
Let's take a look at the similarities with the Model Y, which shares a lot of carbon accessories.
What's inside the Model 3 and Y
Part of the Tesla community has become aware of the carbon inserts for Model 3 or Y. It is an exercise in strength to be able to mass-produce carbon components that can cover a part while giving the impression that there is no addition.
It is on this assumption that the quality of an insert must be judged. It is after many trials, errors and rectifications that we now produce inserts that meet your expectations. What determines the precision of the insert lies in the meticulousness of its cutting, as well as in the overall shape taking into account an ultra-thin double-sided in order to fit as close as possible to the components.
Carbon replacement parts, however, are making more and more careful owners happy. Carbon replacement parts will give a totally different dimension to the interior of your Tesla, for meticulous people, you will get a finish that meets your expectations.
Model 3 and Y: their body parts
As with the interior, the exterior parts of the Model 3 and Y have the right to a multitude of carbon parts made in series or custom-made.
Here too, in a 3K twill or forged version, you will have the choice between a matte or shiny finish. Regarding the Model 3 and Y, the performance spoiler in its matte version is relatively coveted.
This will take up its final position on the edge of the trunk and will extend the lines of your Tesla. You can also opt for more advanced upgrades like the real carbon front cover, an absolutely stunning piece that will actually bring you some weight loss, while still keeping its application mostly functional.
