Why BAC Carbon vs Metal Shafts?

1. Lower NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harmonics) Levels

Due to the epoxy matrix of the composite material, the composite shaft has inherent vibration dampening characteristics.

2. Higher RPM Capability

For a fixed diameter and length, a custom, engineered BAC carbon shaft will have a higher critical speed than steel, aluminum and titanium shafts.  This is due to the low mass density of the carbon fiber/epoxy and the relatively high axial stiffness of the engineered laminate.  This results in a shaft that can operate several thousand RPMs higher than a metal shaft of the same diameter and length.

3. Lighter Weight

A custom, engineered BAC shaft is the lightest weight shaft available.  In some cases, depending on the size of the metal shaft being replaced, a BAC carbon shaft can eliminate several pounds of rotating weight.  

4. Torsional Damper

For the same fixed diameter and fixed length, it is possible to engineer a carbon shaft to have a relatively low modulus of rigidity resulting in a shaft with a high torsional flexibility compared to the same size metal shaft. This unique characteristic will "smooth out" and absorb torque spikes of the engine extending the transmission life.

5. Greater Life Cycle

Since a BAC carbon shaft does not have any welds, there is no metal fatigue.  The life cycle of a properly designed carbon shaft will far exceed all types of metal shafts since carbon fiber composite has extraordinarily high fatigue strength. The typical fatigue failure location of metal shafts is in the weld area (heat affected zone).

6. Greater Torsional Strength

All BAC engineered carbon shaft designs are lab tested to failure.  One such test is the Ultimate Torsional Test which is conducted to verify the analysis.  An engineered BAC carbon shaft will exceed the torsional strength of all metal shafts of the same diameter. Typical failure location of all metal shafts is again in the weld area (heat affected zone).  The welding process itself severely weakens the metal material properties of the adjacent metal tube.  Any heat treatment of the metal is quickly undone due to the welding temperatures in the heat affected zone.

F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How much does your shaft weigh?

2. What is the ultimate torsional strength of your shaft?

3. What is the RPM capability of your shaft?

We have the answers for everyone of these questions on all of our designs.  If the competition (either metal or composite) doesn't have these answers, then they either don't know (shafts not tested or not engineered) or their shaft just isn't any good (not a high performance shaft).

Not only do we have these answers for our potential customers, we guarantee that we exceed all other shafts in each criteria.