Myth: A carbon frame won't last as long as a metal one. Reality: As long as you don't crash hard or take a hammer to the frame, a carbon bike can theoretically last forever. In fact, steel and aluminum last only so long before the metal fatigues and can no longer be used safely, but carbon remains stable indefinitely.
It is estimated that a carbon fiber mountain bike will last for around 5 to 7 years. Carbon fiber bike frames used to be susceptible to UV damage, but this is no longer the case.
Carbon fiber, which at its most basic form is carbon graphite, will last virtually forever. While a bicycle frame made of carbon fiber won't deteriorate over its useful lifetime, it also means that should the frame crack, break, or just no longer be desirable, it won't decompose in a landfill like other materials.
When made well, carbon fiber can be tougher than steel and quite safe. But when made incorrectly, carbon-fiber components can easily break. Unlike with other materials, if you overtighten carbon-fiber parts, they're likely to shatter down the road.
It is recognized that the use of carbon fiber is growing in more and more applications as an alternative to its aluminum, steel, and a variety of other materials because of its strength properties and lighter weight.
Chilled CarbonIn my “subjective” experience, cold cycling (leaving it in the garage over the winter) a carbon frame can cause damage. I noticed the stiffness decrease in my Trek carbon fiber frame after one year of use.
Though Carbon Fiber is constituted of carbon which is flammable, the fiber itself dose not flare up even if ignited by flame of match or gas burners. If heated up higher than 400 degree C together with some fuel, the fiber slowly burns (oxidized) but stops burning right after the burning fuel is removed.
Will Sunlight Weaken Carbon Fibers? Even though the carbon fibers themselves are not susceptible to UV damage, the resin used to bond carbon fibers together can be, meaning that your carbon fiber parts or frames could degrade over time, "in theory".
Low Thermal ConductivityMetal acts as a conductor, steel more than aluminum, which can transmit or radiate heat to its surroundings and cause heat soak. Carbon fiber has low thermal conductivity.
The results show that the long carbon fiber in the carbon/carbon fiber composite forms a three-dimensional structure of X-Y-Z with a density of 0.16 ± 0.02 g/cm3, which makes the composite material have excellent thermal insulation performance at high temperature.
Whilst an entirely CF engines is probably not possible, extensive use of CF can be made. In modern high bypass jet engines the hot bits are towards the rear, in the middle. So the casing can be made of CF. Further, the latest engines can now have carbon fibre turbine fans.
