I'm making a guard that's likely to take the odd knock. Someone suggested a carbon-aramid hybrid weave rather than plain carbon. Is that actually worth doing, or is it more trouble than it's worth?
For a part that will take impacts, a hybrid can be a sensible choice. Carbon is very stiff and strong but fairly brittle, so it can crack or shatter under a sharp knock, whereas aramid is tough and absorbs energy, which makes a carbon-aramid weave more damage tolerant than carbon on its own. The trade-offs are worth knowing: aramid has lower compressive strength, it takes up moisture more readily, and it is harder to cut and finish cleanly, so edges and sanding need more care. For a guard or any part where a bit of impact resistance matters more than outright stiffness, the hybrid usually earns its place. If it is purely a stiffness job with no knocks expected, plain carbon is simpler.
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