Use of Carbon Fiber Composites

Hi,

I'm Lakshitha, team leader and head of aerodynamics and composites in Team SHARK Racing from Sri Lanka. This year we are hoping use carbon fiber for the first time.

Can we use a carbon fiber panel as the floor panel without violating the rule T 3.7.3 of 2018 FS rules that says "The panels must be made of a solid, non-brittle material" ?
Thank you. :)

Yes.

Consider a layer of Kevlar where the floor may scrape the ground.

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Originally Posted by Owen Thomas

Yes.

Consider a layer of Kevlar where the floor may scrape the ground.

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Thank you Owen

But...why? An aluminum panel would be cheaper, weight about the same, and be way more suitable as a material to the abuse floor closeouts normally see.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mech5496

But...why? An aluminum panel would be cheaper, weight about the same, and be way more suitable as a material to the abuse floor closeouts normally see.

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I'm Hoping to integrate the under-body diffuser and the side-pod underside to the flow panel also. Using a carbon fiber panel gives me the freedom to shape all the component desirably.
And also CF panel proved to be stiffer so under aerodynamic forces it won't deflect unnecessarily.