Advantages of Carbon Fiber Tubes

The diversity of advantages of carbon tubes cannot be overlooked. The combination of lightness, strength, long-lasting durability, and adaptability makes them an ideal choice for numerous high-tech applications.

Lightweight: Carbon fiber tubes have very high strength combined with low weight. They are significantly lighter than metal tubes, making them ideal for applications where weight saving is crucial - such as in aircraft construction or motorsport.

Corrosion resistance: In contrast to metals, carbon fiber tubes are extremely resistant to chemical influences and weathering. This makes them particularly suitable for use in aggressive environments and outdoors.

High stiffness and strength: Despite their low weight, carbon fiber tubes are extremely strong and durable. They offer excellent structural integrity and can withstand high loads.

Easy customization: Carbon tubes are manufactured in various sizes and shapes and can be adapted to specific requirements. This manufacturing flexibility allows customized solutions for different applications.

Thermal stability: Carbon fiber tubes have very low thermal expansion. They retain their shape and structure even with frequent temperature fluctuations. This is particularly advantageous in precise technical applications.

Aesthetics: In addition to their functional advantages, carbon tubes also have an attractive, modern appearance. The characteristic, fabric-like structure gives them a high-quality appearance.

Characteristics of Carbon Tubing

Depending on the manufacturing method, fiber type, and fiber orientation, a carbon tube can be torsion-resistant and/or tension/compression-resistant and/or bending-resistant. Further characteristics of the CFRP tube are:

• Ultralight with low tolerances in the inner and outer diameter


• Low density


• Shiny surface and possibly visible fabric structure for an attractive appearance


• Not sensitive to corrosion


• High natural frequency and strong vibration damping


• X-ray transparency

What You Should Know About Our Carbon Tubes

Carbon fiber tubes (carbon tubes) are cylindrical components made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The tubes are manufactured by embedding the extremely strong and lightweight carbon fibers in a matrix of synthetic resin. This composite material is then formed into the desired tube shape and cured. The characteristics of carbon fiber make carbon tubes ideal for use in aerospace, motorsports, robotics, and other areas where high performance is required.

Dimensions: Our carbon tubes are available in various lengths - up to 6000 millimeters. The wall thicknesses are typically 0.5 to 4.0 millimeters and the outer diameters range from 1.0 to 80.0 millimeters. Tolerances of up to 0.01 millimeters can be achieved. We also offer made-to-measure carbon tubes.

Material properties: Carbon tubes are extremely light, which makes them ideal for applications where weight plays a major role. CFRP has a very high tensile strength and is stiffer than many metals. Carbon tubes are resistant to most chemicals and do not corrode. They also have low thermal expansion and are temperature resistant, although they can be damaged in extreme heat environments.

Surface texture: Many carbon tubes have a smooth, shiny surface. Matte surfaces are also available, which are less likely to be scratched. There are also textured surfaces where the characteristic fabric structures of the carbon fibers are visible.

Electrical conductivity: Carbon fiber is electrically conductive, which is important in certain areas.

Vibration damping: Carbon tubes are good at damping vibrations, which is why they are in demand in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Adaptability: The tubes can be easily adapted to individual requirements by cutting, gluing, or screwing, which makes them popular in model making.

How Is the CFRP Tube Manufactured?

Carbon tubes are manufactured in different ways. The process differences enable the production of carbon tubes with specific mechanical and physical characteristics that meet the requirements of various industrial applications.

A carbon tube can be manufactured in different ways:

• Pregreg winding technology


• Pultrusion


• Pullwinding and/or


• Pullbraiding

The prepreg winding process involves a high proportion of manual work. CFRP tubes with the prepreg winding process can be produced up to a maximum length of 2500 millimeters.

Pultrusion, pullwinding, and pullbraiding are endless processes; carbon tubes can be produced in any length up to around 10 meters.

CTG GmbH can offer the processing of a carbon tube according to a data set. We supply CFRP tubes and other semi-finished carbon fiber products from 1 piece up to large series. Carbon tubes are a real alternative to steel or aluminum tubes.

Production Using the Prepreg Winding Process

In this process, pre-impregnated carbon fiber mats, known as prepregs, are wrapped around a cylindrical core. These prepregs already contain the resin system, which later hardens through heating. After winding, the wound tube is heated in an autoclave or oven, which hardens the resin and gives the tube its final shape and strength.

Production Using the Pultrusion Process

In this process, dry carbon fibers are drawn through a resin bath and then pressed through a heated mold (die). The resin hardens in the die, and the material takes on the shape of a tube.

Production Using the Pullwinding Process

Similar to the pultrusion process, carbon fibers are passed through a resin bath, but the fibers are also wound around the core at an angle before entering the die. This gives the tube additional torsional strength.

Production Using the Pullbraiding Process

This process is similar to the pullwinding process, but instead of winding, the braiding is created by a braiding machine that wraps the fibers around the core in a crossed pattern. The braided material is then pulled through a resin-soaked mold and cured.

Carbon Tube: Areas of Application and Examples

The extreme lightweight construction potential of carbon tubes can be used for a wide range of unusual projects:

• Carbon tubes can be ground or polished to tight tolerances, e.g. h7; such precision shafts or carbon fiber shafts are used as linear guides, for example.


• A carbon tube painted to a high gloss finish comes into its own in design applications.


• A carbon tube is resistant to hydrofluoric acid, for example, and is therefore used in the waver industry; etching baths are equipped with carbon tubes as transport shafts.

Below we have listed the various areas of application and some related examples:

Aerospace: structural components, for example, for aircraft wings and satellite components.

Automotive industry: chassis and drive components, such as drive shafts, shock absorbers, and engine technology.

Sports equipment: bicycles, golf clubs, fishing rods, ski poles.

Medical technology: prostheses, orthoses, surgical instruments.

Robotics: lightweight, rigid structural components for robot arms.

Construction: reinforcement of concrete, bridge girders, and other structures.

Marine: mast booms and hulls for high-performance sailboats.

Let our customers convince you!