As with all carbon inserts, everything depends on the precision of the cut and the proximity to the covered part.
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Are you interested in Model Sport's carbon manufacturing method? What is a composite material? Really, what is a carbon part?
We are going to focus our development around three paragraphs:
• It is interesting to look once and for all at what carbon really is
• The divergent vision of the Model Sport brand in the manufacture of its carbon parts
• The reference carbon parts for your Tesla flagship
By finishing your reading, you will be able to obtain a real carbon element knowingly.
What is a composite material?
By designation, what is called composite material falls under the assembly of two components together, which does not mix, but which produces an object more resistant to shocks/impact/torsion/flexions than if they are used independently l each other.
Typically you can use reinforced concrete as an example.
What are the types of carbon or Texalium for your Tesla?
What we can admit is that many carbon or Texalium parts exist and that there are many ways to present it in your vehicle.
A distinction must be made which will be important for purists: what is commercially nicknamed "carbon" actually has the name "carbon fiber composite", it is important to know in the world of lamination it is this denomination that is used.
3K twill carbon fabric in 200gr:
The 3K carbon twill, one of the most widespread in the automotive field and many other uses are devoted to it, let's see what is special about it. 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 illustrates how each carbon weft and weave, with each other. There are still several methods for weaving carbon, twill is very popular for its ability to match the shapes of molds with a strong curve.
There are even more accentuated details such as the 3/1, 2/2 and 4/4 crisscrossing, but this is not a technical development, but more of a brief explanation.
An essential thing to assimilate with regard to the name "3K", this defines the number of filaments that make up a single frame, in this case: 3000. Please note an illustration that will give you an idea of the thickness of a strand of carbon: it suggests about 1/20th that of a hair.
1K, 3K, 6K and 12K are the most used varieties in the automotive, motorcycle, aviation or other types of carbon used in large industries.
The Tesla community is particularly accustomed to discerning 3K. 200gr/m² evokes that the carbon fabric, before its conjugation with the resin, weighs 200 grams for a tablecloth of 1 meter x 1 meter. Remember: 3K twill weighing 200 grams per square meter is widely used in the Tesla community. Not for its mechanical properties; but rather for its aesthetic appearance.
The unknown in its class: forged carbon
Note that this is a molding process that is in no way new, but that this qualification has a name that coincides with it.
The "forged carbon" method is actually very simple and ingenious: the carbon fiber is cut into small pieces and then placed in the mould. It is now necessary to put the resin and tighten the positive and negative master of the mold until putting them under pressure.
The mold temperature is also increased during this phase. Why use this manufacturing logic? Quite simply to allow more carbon to be compacted for less resin.
All the excess resin is ejected during the pressurization phase. So you get a stiffer and lighter part. Lamborghini is the pioneer in the automotive world to have used the latter. Note all the same that its appearance and use has been present since the 80s concerning the production of missile heads.
A material worth explaining: Texalium
Very often it is likened to carbon, but that has nothing to do with it. The Texalium is totally different in substance and form. It is actually a glass fabric loaded with aluminum and then tinted to the desired color to give it a different configuration.
You should know, however, that its mechanical properties are less than those of a usual glass fabric. And its use is purely aesthetic.
You should know that Texalium has been around for several years and is just beginning to take its place in a few developments in France, but that it is much more widespread and used in the United States.
Visually, how do you appreciate the appearance of real carbon?
We are going to provide you with some examples of the use of carbon fiber.
If you are interested in a product or part, Model Sport can provide you with a quote.
Is carbon resistant?
This question once and for all requires an appropriate answer. The real question will be whether carbon is stronger than another material? To give you an idea: an aluminum alloy that has a physical volume equal to a carbon part will be less resistant than the latter, all constraints combined.
"Resistant" is a term that means everything and nothing. Even if carbon is less resistant to impacts, it has exceptional torsion or bending qualities. Carbon inserts are possible for the simple and unique reason of their tolerance to torsion and bending.
The dashboard insert for the Y or 3 models is worth mentioning: this element is only useful for its aesthetics (as with the majority of carbon components for Tesla), but this additional piece of 1 meter 40 can be produced in only two layers of carbon fabric, with a thickness not exceeding 0.5 mm and transported throughout the French country or other neighboring ones.
Carbon fabric and its purchase price?
One of the key parameters to explain the price of carbon fabric, we must look at the manufacture of it. The method of shaping a carbon frame is already relatively complicated.
It takes a very heavy manufacturing operation in terms of energy consumption to manufacture carbon fiber: we start with a particular synthetic fiber, called polyacrylonitrile, which will have to be put under oxidation and then carbonized with a specific way to obtain carbon fiber.
Be aware that this race for ecology gives rise to many projects to continue to use carbon fiber for its lightness, while guaranteeing chemical-free production. It is increasingly recommended to eradicate chemicals and to reduce prices, sometimes even by two, to use biosourced materials.
The tools required for the production of the raw material of carbon are substantial, as are for its weaving. Keep in mind that compared to a human hair, a carbon fiber is 20 times thinner. For information, the square meter of carbon fabric is acquired at the price of 30 euros.
This applies in particular to the 200 grams/meter² twill 3K carbon. The number of layers as well as the cost of the resin to be used are also elements to take into account. You also need a laminator with experience in laying carbon materials.
What distinguishes Carbon for Tesla from Model Sport
Let's move on to the element that we master, because we follow all the manufacturing steps.
In the field of the production of carbon parts, the creator of the company Model Sport, François SPITALS, implements all his knowledge in the field of design and creation of automobile bodywork to provide the best in terms of finishing.
A carbon cloth or a slatted version?
The exceptional mechanical provisions of carbon are deliberately forgotten for its visual appearance in the world of aesthetic modification of our vehicles. No constraints, most of the time, will be subject to the elements installed on your Tesla.
These elements simply mark the increased sportiness of any vehicle from the American firm. It should be understood that even in the case of a body kit for Model S, 3, X or Y or any other automobile aimed at racing on the circuit, the opposites generated on the latter will be supported by the lowest carbon range (so that there are defined as low-end).
Moreover, the most used category, even the most standard, is the HR, for "high resistance", which is very appreciated for its versatility and its competence of flexibility. To design and manufacture in series the carbon elements of Model Sport, it is indeed the HR that will be discussed.
Very often, however, HR is combined with HM, for "High Modulus", which will be much lighter, but much more brittle. It is for this reason that it is combined. Forged carbon illustrates this application primarily for its appearance than for its layout, however, it does have multiple characteristics. Selecting the right resin with the right carbon>
Now let's talk about the key element of carbon parts: the resin
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.
To give you an illustration, polyester is used to make carbon cartridges for motorcycles. Components subjected to loads or forces are in priority used with Epoxy, because it provides greater endurance of the composite material.
We intentionally use, after numerous tests, Epoxy resin, and not just any resin: it has an anti-UV treatment that will prevent it from tarnishing or yellowing over time. The aggressions of UV rays emitted by the sun will thus have no effect on your carbon parts, what is more, the appearance is more transparent.
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.
As a result, three parameters enter into the calculation of the price of the resin: its application, its quality and its longevity.
Let's talk about the selling price of this essential resin in France:
• The kilo of Polyester resin is worth between 8 and 10€
• 50 to 60€ for the kilogram of Epoxy resin
• The kilo of anti-UV Epoxy resin is worth between 55 to 65€
What is the finish coat on a carbon part?
This is of course the final phase of a customization project. In the interests of ultimate quality, at the very beginning we produced parts without topcoat, which required uncompromising manufacturing quality the first time.
The ambition of the Tesla brand being to reduce pollution and waste, it was a counterproductive idea to get so much waste.
We therefore apply superior quality varnishes to "standardize" the finish of our carbon parts. The glossy varnish is finely polished before shipping and the matte varnish applied delicately to have a homogeneous appearance over the entire piece.
What kind of carbon fabric do we find on the Tesla Model S and X
Even though there are many commonalities between the two models, there are still some notable differences based on production date.
So in most cases we call the owner, after ordering, to find out more information about the vehicle.
Model S and X interior
The Model S and X have been forgotten by props since the launch of the Model 3, however these also benefit from a range of upgrades provided. The real carbon will be used to modify the dashboard, the areas around the center console or even other components to come in the future.
The predominant point, the steering wheel, can also benefit from customization with leather or Alcantara trim, depending on your choice. For the latter, we offer a very precise on-demand customization service that will give you total control when placing your order.
Let's move on to the Model S and X bodywork
As for the Model S, the first element sought is the Performance-type Spoiler. In its matte version, you will have the same appearance as the one present on the Performance versions of the Model S, with the difference that the Model Sport has a different bonding surface and internal structure.
This change is subtle, so much so that it will not be visible once the spoiler is put down, however these details make all the difference. The Plaid version is also in production at the time of writing this paragraph. Carbon adapts to all supports.
Although it is very often used in the particular field of the automobile only for its appearance, it will find its place on components such as the grille or the mirror caps, with a slight loss of weight in the process. Although 3K twill carbon is the most common, more "exotic" elaborations such as Texalium may be the subject of a study, in this case contact us by phone or email.
On the Tesla Model 3 or Y, what type of carbon elaboration?
The advent of carbon in the Tesla world has actually appeared since the launch of the Model 3.
Let's take a look at the similarities with the Model Y, which shares many carbon accessories.
Model 3 and Y and their interior improvements
Carbon inserts are almost standard equipment for the Tesla community. 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.
This is why it took us many attempts to finally succeed in manufacturing extremely thin inserts to cover a dashboard, a door trim, a center console or even an armrest. while giving the impression of being part of the original finish.
The keys to a quality insert are tight cutting and precision gluing. For the most demanding owners, the replacement carbon elements also have a strong appreciation with the Tesla community.
The carbon replacement parts will give an entirely unique dimension to the interior of your Tesla, for meticulous people, you will get a finish that meets your expectations.
Model 3 and Y bodywork
As for the interior, the exterior elements of the Model 3 and Y have the right to a multitude of carbon parts produced in series or custom-made. Here too, in a 3K twill or forged version, you will have the choice between the matte or shiny finish.
One of the most popular components and undoubtedly the Performance spoiler in its matt version. For Model 3 or Y, it will always have an advantage over other carbon parts. To be fixed directly on the trunk (or trunk for the Model Y), it has become a standard of Tesla differentiation.
In addition, you can order more extensive modifications such as the swapping of the real carbon bonnet. First, it will allow for weight loss, but give the car a style that is out of the ordinary.
