Apple Researching Carbon Fiber Composite Materials for Exterior Shells

[MacRumors]

A patent application from Apple filed in October 2007 and published today reveals that the company is researching the use of carbon fiber composites for use in the exterior shells of electronic devices. Specifically, the patent application relates to the use of a "scrim" layer on the exterior surface of the carbon fiber laminate allowing for an "improved cosmetic surface."








In the background for the application, Apple objects to the appearance of typical carbon fiber composite materials:

Despite the many benefits of carbon fiber composites, such composites are typically black and the carbon fibers are typically visible on the composite surface. In addition, the fibers (either as a unidirectional, woven, or nonwoven substrate) are typically variable in their construction and therefore are variable in their surface presentation. As a result, the resulting carbon fiber composite can have cosmetic imperfections that reduce the aesthetic appearance of the molded article formed therefrom. Further, carbon fiber composites, often being black, provide a narrow range of surface appearance to the molded article and therefore may give a "tired", unexciting look.

Apple's insistence on aesthetic designs has apparently led the company to focus efforts on improving the visual appeal of such carbon fiber composites, which hold significant appeal for notebook computer design due to their strength and light weight.

A rumor from November 2008 claimed that Apple was exploring the possibility of replacing the bottom case of the MacBook Air with a carbon fiber composite in order to shave approximately a quarter pound off of the machine's total weight.

Article Link: Apple Researching Carbon Fiber Composite Materials for Exterior Shells

[sn00pie]

I can see this being used in the next iPhones.

[Eidorian]

Carbon fiber $999 MacBook?

[MrZebra]

Originally Posted by Eidorian

Carbon fiber $999 MacBook?

Well, I though carbon fiber was still quite expensive!

[acidfast7]

how about adding a lock slot to the MBA instead of a carbon fibre bottom.

seriously, wtf.

[pismodude2]

Or- iTires.

[machomer]

Dark colored macbooks? Some getting use to, but lighter would be cool

[guzhogi]

2 questions: how expensive/cheap is this compared to what Apple uses now? Also, how environmentally friendly is this?

[Mac21ND]

Originally Posted by pismodude2

Or- iTires.

Exactly! I thought they were going into the tire business for a second!

[talkingfuture]

I'm glad they object to the appearance, I don't mind CF as long as they don't make it into a show off excercise.

[digitalpencil]

Given the amount of work that went into overhauling the notebook production process for machining alumiunium for the new unibody notebooks, I think it will be a while before we start to see carbon shells but it's definitely a look to the future..

I just hope they can achieve this without escalating production and retail costs too high.

[depaulsunny]

Originally Posted by Mac21ND

Exactly! I thought they were going into the tire business for a second!

when did anyone use carbon fibres for tires?? just how much of a geek are you??

[rhg84]

Originally Posted by sn00pie

I can see this being used in the next iPhones.

Why? Not like it would save that much weight.

[lubberwort]

Seems like their "scrim" layer might be something that would wear off. Another Apple product that looks great new, but doesn't wear well, a la the palm rests on the old white ibooks'

[Voidness]

Originally Posted by rhg84

Why? Not like it would save that much weight.

It might not, but that means no more cracking plastic. Apple avoided using aluminum for iPhone 3G because it blocks wireless signals. iPhone 3G has much better reception than the original iPhone because of that.

[babyjenniferLB]

Carbon fiber with a coating of aluminum would be the best of both worlds. Depends how thin a layer of aluminum is possible coke cans are very thin but weak however a coke can that had a carbon fiber shell i would imagine being very strong.

[MikeTheC]

I agree with the prior poster. Focus on the technology. Quit foolin' around with the cosmetics.

[ebouwman]

Originally Posted by MrZebra

Well, I though carbon fiber was still quite expensive!

It is, and i think the prices are getting jacked up at the moment because of all the airplane manufacturers that are using it.

Mmmm carbon fiber

[Bubba Satori]

Originally Posted by MrZebra

Well, I though carbon fiber was still quite expensive!

Sounds like just the thing for Apple.

[ebouwman]

Originally Posted by babyjenniferLB

Carbon fiber with a coating of aluminum would be the best of both worlds. Depends how thin a layer of aluminum is possible coke cans are very thin but weak however a coke can that had a carbon fiber shell i would imagine being very strong.

I don't think you can just coat carbon fiber with aluminum, i think there are some problems associated with that.

You can simply PAINT carbon fiber, seriously. You can also give it a semi-clear color so that the carbon fiber shows through, and i've seen some carbon fiber stuff that has kevlar woven in for color, or colored material to create a different effect.

But seriously, just bare carbon fiber, with really light transparent grey paint could be the new mac look.

[gonnabuyamac]

we probably won't see this for a while, but i'm guessing that apple is keeping their options open. at some point, people are going to get tired of aluminum laptops, and it's going to be hard to continue coming up with new designs that don't look a lot like previous models. (although i still keep dreaming of the day when i can get a MBP in a gun-smoke grey anodized aluminum - done with the process they use for coloring iPod nanos)

[0racle]

Originally Posted by MikeTheC

I agree with the prior poster. Focus on the technology. Quit foolin' around with the cosmetics.

Apple is looking into it because of the cosmetics. Apple sells products where the cosmetics are very important, as such that drives much of their work.

[ltldrummerboy]

This would look beautiful on the back of the new iPhones.

[gkarris]

The iPad is coming now, I "feel" it...

[Knolly]

This would be awesome for iPhone backs due to how strong carbon fiber is. Scratching and whatnot would be greatly reduced.

I personally LOVE the look of bare carbon fiber, but I know that plenty of people feel otherwise. I hope we'll see where this might come up in the future, haha.