When it comes to carbon fiber, the first impressions are often “lightweight” and “strong.” But did you know that carbon fiber actually comes in various classifications and specifications? Common types include 3K, 12K, and 16K—but what does the “K” actually stand for?
In fact, 3K, 12K, and 16K are specifications that identify carbon fiber grades. The “K” represents the number of filaments in each tow of carbon fiber (where 1K = 1,000 filaments). This means 3K carbon fiber contains 3,000 filaments per tow, 12K has 12,000, and 16K has 16,000. Carbon fibers with different K values vary in strength, suitable applications, and cost.
Simply put, a higher K value means more filaments, which generally results in a stronger and more durable material—though often at a higher cost.
3K Carbon Fiber: Offers good lightweight properties and flexibility, making it ideal for applications sensitive to weight or requiring some degree of deformation, such as bicycle frames, aeromodels, and RC helicopters.
12K Carbon Fiber: Provides better strength and processability, and is commonly used in industrial structural components like robot shells, robotic arms, and construction reinforcement materials.
16K Carbon Fiber: Known for high strength and durability, it is often applied in manufacturing fields with higher performance requirements, such as automotive manufacturing and pressure vessels.
If you are considering custom carbon fiber parts, understanding these classifications is essential. Selecting the right carbon fiber specification based on your product needs is key to maximizing the performance advantages of carbon fiber parts. Whether you aim for extreme lightweight or high-strength support, choosing the right material is crucial to the success of your custom carbon fibercarbon fiber components.
