Is BMW made of carbon fiber?
BMW is preparing to ditch carbon fiber in favor of a new natural alternative made from flax-based composites. The automaker partnered with Bcomp, a clean-technology company that has been helping BMW implement the material in its race cars since 2019. Even BMW’s flagship luxury sedan, the 7 Series, benefits from carbon fiber technology. The Carbon Core body structure utilizes CFRP in key areas to reduce weight and enhance driving dynamics, offering a blend of comfort, luxury, and performance.
Is carbon fiber expensive?
In conclusion, while carbon fiber is more expensive than other materials, it is a material that offers a unique combination of strength, durability, and versatility that cannot be matched by other materials. Compared to other highly-durable materials, carbon fiber is pricey. But this is changing. Industrial-grade carbon fiber used to cost as much as $15 per pound; now it can cost as little as $7 per pound.However, the exceptional properties of carbon fiber come at a cost, making it one of the most expensive materials in the world.Carbon fiber is an expensive material, and its production requires specialized equipment and expertise. This high cost is one of the reasons why carbon fiber has been limited to use in high-end sports cars, luxury cars, and other high-performance vehicles.Carbon fiber is five-times stronger than steel and twice as stiff. Though carbon fiber is stronger and stiffer than steel, it is lighter than steel; making it the ideal manufacturing material for many parts. These are just a few reasons why carbon fiber is favored by engineers and designers for manufacturing.