Water and carbon.

EX DH

Can water degrade carbon?

Ive got a ribble gran fondo with two cracks in what looks to be the paint on both dropouts, will water be able to get in and will it degrade the carbon underneath?

Took it back to the shop on saturday for another problem but mentioned the cracks to them.

Wooliferkins

Carbon fibre is hydroscopic it sucks in water when the coating is damaged. I used to work on a majority carbon fibre helicopter, the maritime versions had a tad of a weight problem when they didnt look after the finish. Bigger scale same problem.

EX DH

daft question but will it do it any harm? im just worried that if they turn round and say its not a problem that come 4/5 years down the line the back end might snap off!

Wooliferkins

Honestly not sure, from an aircraft point of view they operate in hugely varying temperature ranges so the worry is there. But the bike? I would seal over the cracks in the finish with clear nail varnish if it were mine.

EX DH

its not really been an issue but if theres a chance i can get a new frame out of it i will. The nail varnish thing is a good idea though. they are only hair line cracks.