Why carbon fibre?

Weight to power ratio

Weight is crucial in racing, as low weight saves fuel, reduces tyre degradation, affects performance and handling. All manufacturers are trying to reduce the weight of their motorcycles, so each new model is lighter than the last. They are using new materials and designs to save weight. Over time, alloy has replaced steel and carbon has replaced plastic, making the motorcycles that many grams lighter. Ideally, a motorcycle should be powerful but also lightweight, as lightweight motorcycles are not only fast but also agile.

Carbon fibre is extremely strong. Properties of carbon products are generally similar to those of steel, but in terms of weight they are closer to products made of plastic. The strength-to-weight as well as stiffness-to-weight ratios of carbon fibre are thus much better than those of steel and plastic. This weight difference can be illustrated comparing the original Ducati plastic parts to our carbon products. Even if carbon products don’t save on weight, they do play a role in protecting important parts of the motorcycle. And the additional weight is minimal.

High tensile strength

Carbon fibre is one of the strongest commercial reinforcement fibres.

Expansion and thermal conductivity

Unlike other metal materials, carbon fibre is a poor conductor of heat, which means that heat coming from the motorcycle parts is easier to control. Its inability to conduct heat is also linked to low thermal expansion. This means that carbon fibre motorcycle parts will not expand or weaken when exposed to heat. Carbon fibre products are your best choice as they last longer and make the motorcycle light and powerful.

Corrosion resistant

Carbon fibre is naturally resistant to oxidation and therefore suitable for environments where it could be exposed to salt water and corrosive chemicals.

Durability and power

Can carbon crack or break? The short answer is yes, but in reality the answer is more complicated. The durability of carbon depends on the manufacturing process, the design and the use of the product itself. It is important to apply resin to the carbon fibre evenly and in sufficient quantity so that the end product has no holes which could cause further cracks in the carbon and ultimately lead to breakage The manufacturing process is therefore a decisive factor for product quality. This is where prepreg, carbon fibre pre-soaked in resin, comes into play.

Prepreg provides maximum strength. The classic hand laying of resin impregnated carbon fibre ends with a lot of excess resin, and the resin makes up 50% of the product, which increases its brittleness. The prepreg contains around 35% resin, which is ideal for maximum curing properties and is usually impossible to achieve by hand lamination. When using prepreg, the products are uniform and reproducible, as the thickness is uniform and there are no resin-rich surfaces or dry spots. Most importantly, a prepreg manufacturing process means that there are no air bubbles and holes, making it easier to achieve a smooth and glossy surface. There are two main methods for curing prepreg composite materials; in a curing oven and in an autoclave. Products where the appearance of the carbon fibre must be of the highest quality require autoclaving.

Our products are made from prepreg carbon using the autoclaving process. You can find out more about our technology: