Carbon fiber production is very expensive, with complex manufacturing processes and high production costs, making the price of carbon fiber relatively high, which limits its widespread use. It is only applied in some high-end industries such as aerospace, rail transportation, and yachts. Secondly, it is prone to wear and tear. When the surface of carbon fiber is damaged, scratches and abrasions are likely to occur, so surface protection or coating treatment is necessary. Thirdly, it is difficult to repair. If carbon fiber is damaged, repairs are challenging, often requiring the replacement of the entire component or complex repair work. Fourth, due to its rigid nature, the plasticity of carbon fiber comes at a high cost. It either requires high-temperature autoclave pressing and machining with a five-axis machining center, or the workpiece must undergo multi-angle milling using a five-axis machine tool to eventually form the desired part.
Although carbon fiber has many advantages, it also has unavoidable drawbacks. Therefore, when selecting materials, it is crucial to fully weigh the options, including which material to use, how to process it, and how to shape it. Although carbon fiber and five-axis machining centers have become inseparable materials and equipment for high-end processing, cost considerations remain important.