When researching composite material options, many people consider the versatility and strength of carbon fiber or fiberglass. Most people wonder, is carbon fiber stronger than fiberglass? Although there are other considerations to keep in mind when choosing the option that’s best for you.
Carbon fiber and glass fiber are both composite materials, and the main difference between the two is that glass fiber is composed of molten glass strands, while carbon fiber is made of carbon atomic strands. Both are strong and lightweight materials ideal for a wide range of applications in many different industries, but carbon fiber is stronger, lighter, and more expensive to produce. Sometimes fiberglass will be the material of choice for commercial applications because it can meet performance requirements while being cheaper.
See our previous article Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Fiber for more answers to some of the most common questions customers have about carbon fiber manufacturing.
How much lighter is carbon fiber than glass fiber?
Fiberglass is a lightweight material, making it ideal for many applications. However, complex and high-performance products require lighter and sometimes stronger materials. When weight is important, carbon fiber is ideal. Carbon fiber is up to 15% lighter than fiberglass materials, making it the material of choice for automotive, aerospace and defense applications with specific performance requirements.
How much stronger is carbon fiber than glass fiber?
Fiberglass and carbon fiber are both strong materials, in fact, they are both stronger than steel. When strength is important for your project, premium carbon fiber will play a leading role as it is over 20% stronger than the toughest fiberglass materials.
