The effects of temperature fluctuation on carbon fiber dart shafts
Carbon is very misunderstood in the common world. The element is characterized by having many different malleable properties. Carbon is responsible for many different things form very soft compounds like graphite to the hardest, diamonds. We typically think in the dart world that carbon shafts and points are and should always be indestructible. But, as we know all things dart seem to either bend or break eventually. There is however one trick everyone throwing carbon needs to realize. Heat is not your friend!
The basic atomic structure of carbon allows it to bind with itself and other elements very easily. These most of the time form strong covalent bonds that are difficult to rip apart. Carbon polymers are not usually water soluble, effected by air or bacteria however, when heat is added things start to change.
Long forming strands of carbon sheets change properties in heat by rearranging their electrons between themselves and other elements. This process sometimes causes weak points within the structure. Granted, when forming a diamond you must take graphite and subject it to intense heat. (In this process the carbon sheets are rearranged by binding four carbon atoms together in proportionate angles to form a shape that resembles a pyramids). But, without intense pressure and usually a catalyst there is no diamond. Heat by itself would just create ash and dust like your BBQ grill out back.
To increase the life of your carbon dart items try to keep them from extreme high temperatures and large temperature fluctuations. Like a carbon fiber framed bike left in the garage over the winter there can be stiffness that is thought to cause problems in the carbon bonding matrix. Once the part is put back in heat the molecules typically cannot compensate making the item weak. The same is thought for leaving your stuff in high temperatures like your car and then back into someplace running high A/C like a bar.
Harrows Black Knight Carbon Darts