142: “Composites” aren’t just for high-end motorsport

“Composites” aren’t just expensive and elaborate carbon fibre parts for high-end race teams. It may be easier, more accessible, and cheaper than you think to get started in the composite game.

This week on the podcast, we sit down with Keith Peden from Rodin Cars to unravel the world of composites.

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Keith shares his journey from a childhood passion for cars to becoming a composite specialist in the automotive industry, building parts to the highest level. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience and how collaboration between engineering and manufacturing teams is key to success.

The conversation explores the properties of different composite materials and their applications in motorsport and automotive design. He discusses various aspects of composites, focusing on the differences between chopped strand mats and woven mats.

He also explains resin types, why proper mixing is critical to strength, and how many factors can impact the final product. We discuss different manufacturing methods, from wet layups to prepreg and autoclaves.

One of Keith’s big takeaways is that composites don’t always have to mean expensive carbon fibre. For many motorsport and automotive needs, affordable alternatives can deliver excellent results — especially for the home enthusiast.

Follow Rodin Cars here: 

Website: rodin-cars.com
Instagram: rodincarsofficial
Facebook: Rodin Cars
Youtube: RodinCars

Timestamps:

0:00 “Composites” aren’t just for high-end motorsport
4:00 How did you form an interest in cars?
5:33 How do you become qualified in composite manufacturing and what’s your  background?
16:18 Can you give us an overview of Rodin Cars?
27:44 What is your role as Composites Team Lead?
31:47 What does the word composites actually mean?
33:03 Is a carbon fibre part stronger in compression or tension?
35:21 What is carbon fibre and why is it so good for motorsport?
38:09 Carbon vs Kevlar vs Fibre glass cost variation?
40:42 What is a chopped strand mat?
43:05 What is a woven mat?
44:44 What is resin?
48:49 What does the term prepreg mean?
52:55 What is an Autoclave?
59:09 Other types of layup methods
1:11:55 Downsides of composites parts being repaired
1:13:21 How do you add threaded bosses for attachments to a composite part?
1:16:24 Final 3 questions