Which CF for a Pot Lid?

How do you use a router to make a carbon fiber lid? I would imagine the CNC router would be perfect for making a 2-piece mold which could be used with a vacuum system (FoodSaver) and some CF cloth and epoxy resin to make the part itself.

My pot, the Evernew 640ml, has a relatively deep lip into which the lid sits. A simple flat circle will fit easily without sliding off. But the domed titanium lid it comes with is relatively heavy. For most pots, this wouldn't work.

My pot, the Evernew 640ml, has a relatively deep lip into which the lid sits. A simple flat circle will fit easily without sliding off. But the domed titanium lid it comes with is relatively heavy. I know what you mean there… the lid of the MSR Titan kettle weighs 35g. I made a 13.4g CF lid for my JB MiniMo using some CF sandwich material I use for another hobby. This lid also fits the Titan kettle. Something for your Evernew 640ml would probably weigh 8-9g.

David, Just a bit of extra info on CF…you'll probably come across some different weave specs (UD, 1k, 3k, 12k) but none of them will be relevant to this; Weaves matter for poles and other load bearing applications like cycling parts. I'd expect that you could just buy 1/8" x 6" x 6" square (or circle) and use the CNC to cut out the lid as needed. As another comment mentioned, being able to use the CNC to make a mold would certainly give better results (1-2 layers of CF fabric with minimal epoxy should be enough). To answer your question…as thin as possible since it's not load bearing.

Ah, but can you find carbon sheet that uses food grade resin? I gave up and used titanium sheet for my Evernew 600. Fixed a piece of metallic or cuben tape for a handle. Yes, the other question is does it get hot enough when boiling water to release any chemicals from the resin. Steve

No epoxy system for CF layups is food grade, but there are lots of coatings that are. I agree with Jordo. If you have access to a CNC router, just buy some CF/epoxy sheet, cut it to size, and give it a light food-grade coating on the underside. If you want some insulation, to reduce fuel use a tiny bit, there are many ways to incorporate a bit of insulation, including using CF sandwich panel. Sandwich panel would also be better able to withstand compression in your pack if you use your lidded pot as a container for fragile things.

Thanks everyone. This is EXACTLY the type of information I was looking for. Anyone know a place to buy some CF cheap?

What food grade coating product could be applied to the CF? I still have my attempt at a CF lid, love to use it as it protects the contents better than the titanium. Steve

From the linked thread above: http://www.acpsales.com/OnlineStore.php They have flexible single ply at 2.1oz/sf @ $13 for a 6"x12" piece. For an additional $2.25 and 0.3 oz/sf they offer it with an adhesive backing which you could apply a layer of tinfoil (or seran wrap? lighter?) to as a food safe barrier. Don't know how you'd keep it centered on the pot, tho. Maybe you could cut some tabs in to the perimeter and bend/crease them down 90 degrees to sit just inside the edge of the pot. They also offer a rigid 1/8" aramid honeycomb sandwich, but it's 3 oz/sf and $75(!) for a piece the same size. If you need a boost in stiffness over the single ply you might be able to put a narrow cylindrical strip around the edge – think shoe box lid proportions, but round. Maybe just cutting a washer shape w/ an OD equal to the lid OD and an ID 1/4" smaller and adhering that on top would suffice. Let us know what you come up with!

>>Don't know how you'd keep it centered on the pot, tho. Like this: bottom of the lid, showing the tabs that keep it centered

I was referring to a single ply design. .008" thickness won't do that trick :)

Or: http://rutalocura.com/Carbon_Lids.html $18/8gr fits the Evernew 640. Foodsafe coating?

Guessing you aren't concerned with the off gasing of the resin when it's heated. I personally use tinfoil for a pot lid myself.