Duration 14:33

How Is Carbon Fibre Made | The Science Lesson You Always Dreamed Of

by GCN Tech

171 916 watched

6.5 K

Published 25 Jul 2020

Carbon fibre completely revolutionised road bike technology when it was first introduced in the 1980s. Since then use of the material has become increasingly popular, and composite technology has come on leaps and bounds. In this video, Ollie finally puts his chemistry PhD to use to show us where carbon fibre comes from, and exactly how it works as a material! Check out the GCN App: https://gcn.eu/app Subscribe: http://gcntech.co/subscribetogcntech The GCN Shop: https://gcntech.co/uh #Cycling #GCN #GCNTech #RoadBike Could a chemistry nerd ever be happy? Let us know what you thought of the video in the comments 👇 If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍 If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link - https://gcntech.co/ug Watch more on GCN Tech... 📹 https://gcntech.co/longridesabotage Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound: ES_He Wants to Dance - Chalalatas ES_Break That - Jojo Avery ES_Forget Your Feet - Tayler Watts ES_Mojo Flag - Tayler Watts ES_The Path To Innovation - Airae Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech is the only channel you need for all things bike tech – past, present and future. Simply put, we’re obsessed with tech: we seek out and showcase the best in bikes, components, tech, accessories, upgrades and more from races and events, tech shows and product launches across the globe to bring you the best in road bike technology. We’ve also got great maintenance videos to help you get the most from your bike; pro-bike tours from all the biggest races; special features and the weekly GCN Tech Show. We also take a deeper look into the future of cycling, apps, smart tech and virtual riding. Join us on the channel and the GCN App to submit your content, vote on the latest tech and keep abreast of exciting new trends. GCN Japan: https://gcn.eu/subscribe-gcn-japan GCN Italia: https://gcn.eu/GCN-Italia Suscribirse a GCN en Español: http://gcn.eu/Suscribirse Facebook - http://gcntech.co/gcntechfb Instagram - http://gcntech.co/gcntechinsta Twitter - http://gcntech.co/gcntechtweet

Category

Comments - 479

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@gcntech4 years ago Could a chemistry nerd ever be happy? Let us know what you thought of the video in the comments 👇 122
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@Jayneflakes4 years ago Yes please, more science, actual real science and not just pretend science. This is a video that needs more than one view, great work GCN. 152
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@manuel71024 years ago Aaaaand that's why Ollie is irreplaceable on Gcn 186
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@prestachuck28674 years ago Ollie’s best ever American accent is achieved whilst eating celery. 54
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@wattswheelhouse4 years ago Ollie's PhD mentions should get the attention his hour record does.
More science please! 105
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@nadgeemark4 years ago I think you’ll need to go over the finer points with me again Ollie. It started off okay when I invited my uncle and a few of his friends over and plied him with alcohol. A conga line was soon formed. The problems began when i attempted to combine the ammonia and propane by pissing on the natural gas heater. Unfortunately the chemicals didn’t react as specified and subsequently my uncle became a free radical and punched me through the kitchen wall. As you can imagine I was disappointed that my planned carbon fibre frame and wheels didn’t turn out as planned . I’m eagerly awaiting your second instalment demonstrating the process in finer detail. 🤔🥴 ... 82
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@bb96kjl4 years ago I’m a biochemist and cyclist, this made me very happy! Thanks for the excellent content and for not dumbing down, too much! Great example of science communication, chapeau! 42
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@Brandles54 years ago Ollie is the kind of guy you befriend because he’s outgoing, charming, and just sitting next to him at the pub can make you look smarter. 29
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@autisticlife4 years ago This is fascinating. I would have loved chemistry lessons like this at school. 73
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@tomdebaerdemaeker4 years ago As a fellow chemist I found the analogy for polymerisation hilarious! Especially the lonesome conga 🤣 Great job Ollie! 20
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@Dhungerf604 years ago The “Plant Based Cyclist”, needs one of those celery bikes 27
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@stephenstarks90434 years ago Ollie talks about "annoying drunk uncle" like i'm a bad thing... 16
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@jpjipperwong4 years ago (Hears coefficient of thermal expansion, my engineering degree finally pays off 😂)
CTE is actually quite important in manufacturing processes even in bikes because often when a carbon fiber sheet is places into a mold it is heated with an epoxy resin to help it set and cure. Cheaper Carbon fibers with high CTE often expand more in the mold causing the manufacturing defects we are so used to such as incorrect BB diameters and misshaped seat posts. The heated fibers move around the epoxy in the mold and cause these defects so its in a bike manufacturers favor to use Fibers with lower CTE to allow for greater tolerances and fewer defects. This is especially important in monocoque designs where there could be hundreds of pieces that need to be heated and bonded together to make a frame and fork combo
(Correct me if I am wrong this is what I have learned in class but I know often the real world is much different) ... 25
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@Bri-bl2nc4 years ago The glasses + the lab coat + the PhD + the celery chomping + the mullet = the perfect person to teach me about carbon fibre! 3
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@Adrian-515mm4 years ago I feel this is the video that Ollie has always wanted to make. I enjoyed it enormously - great content and the ever-charming, self-depracating style of the host is always a winner.
Chapeau. 18
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@brysonszy63064 years ago i died laughing when ollie did a solo conga line 25
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@spelakranjc55234 years ago As a person thay bikes daily for commuting and errands but that doesn't own a road bike... These are the videos that make me keep coming back to GCN. Well done!! 8
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@triggerdog184 years ago You did a good job breaking down some pretty complex chemistry in a digestible way. 5
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@jedisdad22654 years ago One of the BEST ALL TIME GCN Videos!!! Never realized Ollie was really Professor Ollie! 3
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@alextriaca4 years ago Mullet and science glasses. The look we've always needed 😂 6
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@randallmiller38424 years ago Someone’s loss of a chemistry professor is definitely GCN’s gain. Nice job. 24
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@connorhignell51554 years ago This has got to be one of my favourite videos from GCN, absolutely love learning all the sciences! Also Ollie’s presentation had me in stitches loving the solo conga life 4
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@PM-yf5pn4 years ago This was fantastic. Thanks Ollie! And yes please - more science videos! 8
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@paulim87034 years ago "Is there anything as tragic as a solo conga?"
Doing it in those trousers and mullet? 22
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@martinh27834 years ago Ollie: You should start your own channel just about science and nerdy stuff. 3
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@ThorDyrden4 years ago Great educational tech-show. Dr. Bridgewood really earned his celery today ;-) 7
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@jameswitte56764 years ago I didn’t realize that I would be taking a remote learning class this morning when I clicked this video. 3
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@davidmatthews64494 years ago Love this Ollie! Please more of this GCN 6
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@craigpaterson50854 years ago Advanced higher Chemistry finally coming in handy to understand this video 4
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@timwalker39874 years ago Finding a use for the old “souvenir” labcoat is always gratifying. 3
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@iknowyourider04 years ago I absolutely ADORE this. As like most people as soon as I get home I start watching GCN videos, this means that I have science during my day and BIKE SCIENCE after work! 1
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@fitz834 years ago My science teacher is wearing a hoodie?!?
I’ve been waiting for this video on carbon fibre for a looong time. Great job Ollie. 1
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@norvindcosta64662 years ago The conga line is by far one of the best analogies I've ever heard. Hilarious and hugely informative. Thanks Ollie!
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@awakenedbahamut25744 years ago I appreciate your efforts on and off the bike. 4
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@YeCannyDaeThat4 years ago "Is there anything more tragic than a solo conga?"
em... A solo conga in a mullet? 7
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@AutisticWombot5 months ago The only video which actually explains the chemistry of how it's made rather than just talking about the impregnation with resin.
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@markjthomson4 years ago Carbon fibre is made by drunk Uncles making conga lines at weddings... the ultimate irresistible force... GCN making science understandable since ages ago! :) Good work. 1
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@joeappleby4 years ago Einstein said 'If you can’t explain something to a six year old then you don’t fully understand it yourself'. In many ways I can be described as a six year old and I feel that was explained excellently. I would give that video a solid 9/10, I have dropped one point because I feel like Ollie's mullet could have better differentiation between the business and party ends. ... 1
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@GC_4204 years ago Well done! Ollie hit his stride with this video. Not only did i learn & was able to follow along...it was also entertaining. The Konga King...LOL. Congrats on a great video Ollie - seriously! 2
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@iancollins61044 years ago One of the best videos. Ollies hair helps too.
I think we need more of these and you should also give these videos to schools. Ollie is great at presenting technical subjects. 1
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@jglenister04194 years ago Hey Ollie! This video was fantastic!Could you go into the drunk conga line that produces lycra? And what the difference between lycra and other polymers? Thank you 5
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@paulw87454 years ago As an MEng in Chem Eng who worked with acrylonitrile (nasty stuff) back in the 1980’s and the same company made the first carbon fibre for F1 in Coventry, Ollie’s explanations bring back many happy memories. Good stuff.
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@joelterwilliger99014 years ago Great video! A very well produced video with great commentary and examples to explain an otherwise complex subject in an easy to understand manner, The juxtaposition of humor, anecdotes and "serious" science make this a stand out video. Ollie, you are ready to teach at the University level! Keep up the great work. ... 1
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@RobS491204 years ago Great explanations! I like how you have related virtually every complicated step to some form of cycling.
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@charlietompkins85764 years ago Taught me more in 15 minutes than my GCSE Chemistry teacher has in a year tbf😂 3
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@glynnbuxton33494 years ago Do the talents of this man never end...? I think the Meet the GCN Presenter video needs a revisit.... 2
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@leonbroekx4 years ago I would have prefered watching the Olympic roadrace, but since that's not possible right now: great video, Ollie! 3
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@robbchastain30364 years ago And when his wild hair turns silver, Ollie will surely be the first to install flux capacitors on bikes. And when I lived in Frankfurt, that was my favorite ride, Frankfurt to Vees-bah-den and back. And not to be the pronouncer corrector guy, just sayin' :) ... 6
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@GordonMoat4 years ago Crazy to think the stuff we scrape off our toast, can be used to make bicycles. All that's needed is one big dance party in-between. 1
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@mariustillwich72884 years ago Thanks for the great video! I would love to watch similar videos on the different compositions of steel and titanium and the differences that these make for the bike in the end. 1
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@paulb85874 years ago That is such a complicated procedure, it makes you wonder how anyone thought of it in the first place. There were times during the video when I thought Ollie was speaking Klingon but his solo conga saved the day!
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@pierQRzt1802 years ago I discovered GCN tech just now (I discovered GCN already in 2016). Lovely! please go deep in every tech related to bikes (and even something else). You have the brains! (Ollie brains) 1
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@evelynthai47763 years ago I find your videos chill and straight to the point. A lot better than know it alls and always skeptical by beating around the bush. Thanks for this video and many other!
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@KM-oh3kw4 years ago The best! Thank you Ollie and GCN crew. 1
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@johnandrews35684 years ago Best science-based video... ever! Awesome explanation Ollie. Thanks so much to Dr. B and GCN. More of these kinds of videos please... and if we can see more of Ollie's solo conga-line, the world will indeed become a better place. ...
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@vondadriscoll95354 years ago Excellent video with the process explained perfectly for non chemistry nerds. Thanks for putting in the effort! 1
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@REACHJ10 months ago Carbon fiber had catastrophic results on the OceanGate Titan Submersible. 3
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@colbycalabrese84173 years ago I had to design a bike in my Engineering class, so I came here because I decided to design it with carbon fiber throughout. Thanks for the video!
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@biketrybe70714 years ago Wow. Great video. Thank you, Dr. Bridgewood. I love the tech geekery and your analogies were great. It certainly helped me understand the process better. More of these, please.
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@ericlai42654 years ago Great job with coming up with examples that us non-chemist could picture !!
Chemist nerd got my like :) 2
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@joebaker78724 years ago Love these videos would, enjoy some vids on metallurgy, high performance fabrics for clothing and maybe even some more physics videos like the wheel weight vid. 5
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@williamtipton3663 years ago Ollie adds so much credibility to the GCN organization! As an engineer, it was great learning something new!
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@1barny704 years ago Ollie should start producing `Tomorrows World` again. Smashed it !! 1
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@Jonislol4 years ago If Ollie has a PhD props to him. If he doesn't props to him. 2
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@kenmcgovern644 years ago Making the science of cycling interesting. Nice job Ollie. 1
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@scouth24293 years ago This is exactly what I was hoping to learn from this video. As complex as the subject of CF is you did a great job of explaining and dumbing down just enough for the average person to learn from.
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@willardSpirit4 years ago It's like a young William Defoe method acting as a cyclist talking about carbon fiber on YouTube 4
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@DavidMartin-tk4fs4 years ago Having worked with TVRs for years I have played with GRP and CF a lot. I had always wondered where this stuff actually came from so This video has answered all the questions I had mused on while trying to get Carbon strands off my sticky gloves after restoring T400 body work - Well done and thank you Dr Ollie
Next up: Graphene fortified epoxy resin like the latest BAC Mono, that must be a game changer for bike frames and yet another one in the eye for the UCI weight regs! ...
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@bhpasetchnik2 years ago You are so much more interesting, informative and helpful than my chemistry teacher! Can't thank you enough for this video!
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@markusmencke80594 years ago Reminds me why I quit Chemistry - my teacher was never that fun. 5
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@sumikomei4 years ago This was actually extremely fascinating. I've always wondered how carbon fiber in general was made, though for some reason hadn't yet gotten around to researching it. And it's honestly a lot more.. "free form" of a process than I expected. I love stuff like this personally, I'll have to do some further research of my own on this. ...
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@Themidnightrunner864 years ago Definitely need more science vids, good effort to fit that into 14 mins and make it relatable to a wide range of people but informative too.
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@JollyGiant04 years ago Love the fact Ollie has a Phd in Carbon!
You did forget the UK's biggest pre-preg manufacture, SHD in Sleaford (maybe you should ask to go on tour of their factory?). Their material is used by British Aerospace, F1 cars and Bloodhound SSC just to name a few. Oh and 'Jolly's Carbon'!!!
Pre-preg has the exact amount of resin required per nano-gram of cloth and therefor the perfect ratio. ...
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@TimFitzwater4 years ago Fascinating. Cool to see such a unique vid for cycling. 2
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@pknark4 years ago That Solo Congo line hit a little to close to home for me haha. 2
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@bwhoglast month The thing that makes carbon so amazingly useful and versatile is the fact that it can form double and triple bonds with itself and other materials, particularly its affinity for hydrogen and oxygen. Take acetylene, C2H2 or more specifically, H-C=C-H (= is a triple bond here). That triple bond is what gives it the neat necessary to melt, cut, and weld steel. Here, the carbon bonds, along with their particular arrangement, are what make the carbon fibers so strong.
Ploymers... here's a mind blowing fact: polymer paints are used on automobiles. The nature of these polymers means that, after baking, in effect, the paint layer on your car is essentially one gigantic molecule. (Not exactly, but it's a cool thing to contemplate.) ...
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@thedetaildevillast year I love the fact that a British Willem Dafoe just explained to me how carbon fibre is made 🤣 1
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@bicyclist23 years ago I ride a old carbon LOOK from the 90's. I didn't know how carbon was made before this. This was very informative. The only thing that would have made it better is to see a real carbon factory where its being made. Thanks. ... 1
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@Klont1234 years ago Thanks GCN, now I can build my own race winning bike in my shed.
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@KwadSkwad4 years ago As a chemical engineer with a decade of industrial manufacturing experience in composites and crazy metals, this makes me happy 😁😁 Ive avoided polymer chem professionally up to this point but it’s by far my favorite applied chemistry (as well as organic).
nerd alert: The only thing that would make the polymer reactions more amaze is if they used diels-alder reactions! ...
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@backdoorslam4 years ago Damn, I just realized Ollie indeed has a phd in chemistry. Impressive! 1
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@geoffwoods36534 years ago Brilliant, more of this stuff please! 👍
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@zacbenjamin1424 years ago Love it when he got burnt from the match 😂😂 1
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@josemdbl49574 years ago Really nice video. I really appreciate the effort put into making this understandable! Also, funny as always!! Keep it up!! Congrats
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@janeridley49354 years ago Yes, please, Oli; more science. It's fascinating. Great to know how something I stare at dreamily but can't afford is made:)
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@areafifty14 months ago Can't thank enough for making this masterpiece mixture of science, art and fun!
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@cyclotherapist4 years ago I really enjoyed your presentation. Very clever way to use ordinary materials to demonstrate complicated processes. Thank you!
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@GH-fw7ug3 years ago Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your expertise!
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@jackyharuhiko2 years ago Thank you very much Ollie for the amazing video, it’s full of valuable information and knowledge in layman’s terms. Being two years late to watch this video but I enjoyed it so much. Thanks.
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@adamweb4 years ago Ollie, you need your own TV channel bro! 1
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@chasc23894 years ago Thanks Ollie I enjoyed that. Liked the depth of detail and visual examples. Probably could do with a warning before you did your solo conga.... 1
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@EvlFlp4 years ago As an (cyclist and) aerospace-engineer and youtube-connoisseur I can say: very well done! A really good video with, as it is, science-communication value far beyond for cyclists alone.
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@ryaneverett88914 years ago “Library practice” ???? 😂😂😂 Another great and informative video, thanks Oli 👍🏼