Safety advantage to Carbon Kevlar seat vs. Fiberglass?
#16
Rennlist Member
What constitutes a 'cycle' in a seat??
#17
Three Wheelin'
Especially for something like a seat, where failure could be a huge problem in a severe accident, kevlar can have advantages. While only somewhat stronger than fiberglass and not and strong as carbon, kevlar is significantly "tougher" than either of the other materials. So when deformed, it is less likely to crack than fiberglass, or splinter into a million pieces like carbon does when it ultimately fails. I suspect this is why kevlar would be combined with carbon to make a very strong and "tough" seat.
Though seats rarely fail, you don't want to be the one for which it happens. I recall that many years ago a drag racer had a composite seat fail, and it nearly severed the driver's arm.
Scott
Though seats rarely fail, you don't want to be the one for which it happens. I recall that many years ago a drag racer had a composite seat fail, and it nearly severed the driver's arm.
Scott
#18
Rennlist Member
Well certainly kevlar will take a bullet better. I live in the city of Chicago so it's a nice safety feature. You know, pistol-wielding road ragers and gang-bangers and the like.
#19
Mr. Excitement
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Talking about materals without consideration of how the materals are implemented does not help much. I think the OP presented up a good question. C/F is stronger than FG pound for pound but if the seat is made lighter the gain might be only less weight, not a stronger or safer seat. As noted later there might be other considerations to look at as well such as how C/F can splinter into nasty bits when it does fail. Same with FG/ plastic or metal seats, how the materal acts but more so how the seats are made and mounted matters and I might guess it matters more than the materals used. The good news is there is more choice and information than ever before.