topic Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case in Apple

Carbon fibre and plastic case

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:32:45 GMT

I recently treated my iPhone 4 to a new cover to replace its bumper. It is made from carbon fibre and plastic which I thought would still protect the O2 signal and is specifically designed for the 4 and 4S. Wrong! The signal drops to nothing then searches furiously, then the dreaded red spot appears over the phone app. I'm surprised that this happens. If anyone has a suggestion or explanation I'd be grateful. I'm back to using my old bumper to protect the signal.

Many thanks in anticipation of some interesting responses. Ann

Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case

adamtemp64 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:40:20 GMT

this article may help you understand the issue http://www.fastcompany.com/1746803/carbon-fiber-idevices-we-think-not

Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:35:51 GMT

I really cannot see why a carbon fibre case would block signal. Not bring funny but the case is probably not real carbon fibre unless you paid a good deal of cash for it. So plastic should not block it out.

I've used metal bumpers and metal clip on cases that took a bar of the signal strength but none have never completely quashed it !

Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case

Liquid — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:51:13 GMT

Carbon fibre is great for refracting/bending radio waves around it. It's highly effective in blocking radar (still a bandwidth based to an extent).

However carbon fibre Is not cheap and splinters very nastily I wouldn't advise using it for a case.

There are variants that are mixed with other materials than provide the look and feel of CF but doesn't affect transmission.

Can you link us to the case?

Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case

Anonymous — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 10:54:51 GMT

Thanks for all the responses. The case indefinitely stops the signal and will be consigned to the bin. The article suggested gave me food for thought too, so I've just purchased a new bumper (silicon?) and the signal is fine.

I purchased the troublesome case thro' Amazon for its good looks! Serves me right for such vanity! I think I paid about £10 so it wasn't a cheaply.

Thanks again.

Ann

Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case

Liquid — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 15:18:40 GMT

It's unfortunate carbon fibre looks great.

There are some large weave carbon fiber cases that won't affect your signal too much.

There were rumors of the iPhone 5 being carbon fiber:/

Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 01:18:08 GMT

Love the fact people think they will get a pure carbon fibre back for a £10.

Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case

Liquid — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 01:40:47 GMT

You can buy sheets of the stuff relatively cheaply but it's brittle so not advisable as a solution. (Other than the signal issue haha)

Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:45:39 GMT

A decent composite of Carbon fibre that you can use in phone back production will cost at retail end more than £10.

Re: Carbon fibre and plastic case

Liquid — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:53:19 GMT

Sorry it wasn't mean to sound as though I was contradicting you.

A suitable CF case that doesn't block signal would be very expensive unless mass produced.

If I'm honest I don't even know of a carbon composite that doesn't affect attenuation.