A patient’s exposure to X-rays is primarily governed by the structural materials of the equipment and by using cfrp, significant reductions in exposure levels are possible because the absorption level of cfrp is only a seventh that of Al. Hence cfrp is used for X-ray and surgical tables, stretchers and film cassettes. Ultrasonic scanner brackets which operate at low temperatures are made from carbon fiber epoxy composite. A light weight stretcher is made by The Sekura Rubber company using cfrp and Ti.
Busch SA have adapted a Kuschall Fusion wheelchair, with a cfrp right angled joint connecting two dissimilar profiled cross-sections, avoiding the occupant making difficult bone embrittling bending operations and also acting as a vibration damper, helping to absorb shocks and vibrations.
Carbon fiber has been used for many applications in dentistry.
Sports and leisure goods: An important aspect of many sports goods is the feel of the item, such as when an angler has a bite at the end of the line, or the response of a golf club. Hence, many grades of carbon fiber are available for the designer to use, which makes cfrp an admirable choice as a material of construction.
Bicycles, tendem: Kestrel produced the first carbon fiber bike frame in 1986 and the first all-carbon mountain bike frame in 1988. The Talon Si road bike has a carbon fiber frame weighing only 1.07kg, using modular monocoque frame fabricated from three individually molded bladder parts.
A carbon fiber reinforced nylon resin has been used to make a fabric for the construction of a mountain bike monocoque frame by compression molding in an Al mold, satisfying weight, durability and manufacturing requirements.
A carbon fiber bicycle wheel rim is fabricated by Sun Rims saving 400g over an Al rim and with 30% less carbon than that achieved by competitors using carbon fiber braid. A core of foam is rolled into a circle to fit the mold rim periphery and a braid sleeve drawn over the core with the ends overlapped. Extra pieces of carbon fiber prepreg are positioned at high stress points, the reinforcement is impregnated with epoxy resin and the lay-up is then compression molded. The pressures are sufficient for the overlap joint to be uniformly incorporated into the rim thickness.
Carbon fiber braid has be used by Centro de Materials compositos europa to produce a tubular bicycle frame using RTM.
Trek are renowned for success in the Tour de France with their carbon composite frames and Klein Bikes, owned by Trek, have cfrp chainstays, seat stays and forks.
Giant Bicycles claims 17 years of experience in building carbon fiber bikes. The monocoque frames are built with carbon fiber/Kevlar/epoxy resin suing a bladder molding technique. The majority of their frames are, however, built with Al, using carbon forks and seat posts.
EPX Bicycles produces bikes with 100% carbon fiber, using a bladder molding technique with 8 layers of CF/E twill weave fabric and up to 20 layers in high stress areas.