Fake Graphite Texalium Sheet (not carbon fiber)

Recently a B2B customer had sent us a sample of another fake carbon fiber type product. This time it is a fake Graphite Texalium sheet, often confused with carbon fiber sheet. Texalium is a high end raw fabric  fiberglass product made by Hexcel. Texalium is a high grade fiberglass that undergoes a process that applies a 200 Angstroms thin coating of aluminum, thus giving it the woven metal appearance. The aluminum base color can then be tinted by Hexcel to produce other colors such as the graphite steel color. It is used only as a top decorative layer on its own, or can be used in a laminate of carbon fiber with only the surface is the Texalium product. This fake sheet sample were sent does have what seems to be a Texalium or copy of that raw material as the base. Then it has a top layer of clear plastic vinyl that is .084″ thick on top and a .025″ thick layer of adhesive double sided tape on the bottom, making the entire thickness .109″ or approx 2.5mm. The top layer of plastic vinyl is very soft and can be easily permanently damaged by a simple fingernail mark. Most likely the plastic vinyl surface is also a very cheap grade that will yellow very quickly with any sunlight and be permanently damaged with most cleaning chemicals. Because there is actually nothing that makes this a composite, even at .109″ thickness it has zero structural qualities. If you see this product stay away from it at any price, as you will end up being very disappointed with it.

If you missed our article on fake carbon fiber sheet, click here to read it.

For real Hexcel Texalium sheets in silver and graphite colors visit our online store at www.sierracomposites.com