carbon fiber

Strong woven material

Carbon fiber is a strong, lightweight material made of thin filaments of carbon atoms bonded in crystalline structures.

The fibers are typically woven and set in resin to create composites used in aerospace, automotive, sporting goods, and other applications where strength-to-weight ratio matters: a carbon fiber bicycle frame, carbon fiber reinforced panels.

Often shortened to just carbon: The hood is carbon.

manufacturing

layup

Close-range basket attempt

  • autoclavePressurized steam sterilization chamber
  • curingRestoring health or preserving
  • resinViscous plant secretion

epoxy · laminate · thermoset · weave · tow · mold · infusion · ply · orientation · debulking

structure

weave

Interlace strands into fabric

  • towPull something behind
  • filamentVery thin thread
  • yarnTwisted strand for crafts

mesh · mat · unidirectional · woven · twill · satin weave · braided · chopped · continuous · bundle

aerospace

aircraft

Airborne transportation vehicle

rockets · satellites · propulsion · jet engines · fighter jets · drone · launch vehicle · payload · aerodynamics · supersonic

properties

tensile strength

Resistance to pulling force

strength-to-weight · impact-resistant · corrosion-resistant · durability · toughness · anisotropic · modulus · elongation · brittleness · conductivity

applications

bicycles

Human-powered wheeled vehicles

hockey sticks · helmets · prosthetics · tripods · musical instruments · automotive parts · spoilers · hoods · wheels · driveshafts

Categories
Opposites
material composition

carbon fibersteel

Carbon-hardened iron alloy

iron · metal · cast iron · lead · aluminum

weight-to-strength characteristics

carbon fiberlead

Dense metal, symbol Pb

cast iron · steel · concrete · stone · brick

technological sophistication/cost

carbon fiberthatch

Dried plant roof covering

wood · plywood · particle board · lumber · sheet metal

Family

fiber, carbon, fibrous, fibers, fibre, fibril, carbonize, fibrosis, carbons

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G