carbon fibers
Lightweight structural strands
Carbon fibers are thin filaments of nearly pure carbon, stronger than steel yet far lighter.
They're woven into fabrics or embedded in resin to create composite materials for aerospace, automotive, and sporting equipment: a carbon fiber bicycle frame, carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
The material offers exceptional strength-to-weight ratio but comes at high cost.
Viscous plant secretion
- epoxyCatalyst-cured bonding compound
- laminateBond thin layers together
- matrixOrdered numerical arrangement
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
layup · autoclave · cure · tooling · molding · thermoset · thermoplastic · fabrication
Very thin thread
- yarnTwisted strand for crafts
- towPull something behind
- fabricWoven or knit material
- wovenInterlaced on loom
braiding · roving · weave · textile · pitch · precursor · PAN · unidirectional
Resistance to pulling force
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- rigidityState of being unbending
- strength-to-weightForce capacity per unit mass
- load-bearingSustaining structural mass
durability · toughness · lightweight · corrosion resistance · electrical conductivity · impact resistance · high-strength · resilience
Strung frames for court sport
- golf clubsImplements for hitting balls
- racing carsVehicles designed for competition
- Formula OneTop-tier open-wheel racing
- sporting goodsMerchandise for physical activities
automotive · prosthetics · fishing rods · helmets · drones · yachts · medical devices · pressure vessels
Aircraft's central structure
- wingletsUpturned aircraft appendages
- airframeAircraft's structural body
- control surfacesMovable parts directing aircraft
- rudderPivoting stern blade
aircraft · spacecraft · satellites · rockets · aviation · propulsion · aerodynamics · space exploration
resin
Viscous plant secretion
- epoxyCatalyst-cured bonding compound
- laminateBond thin layers together
- matrixOrdered numerical arrangement
polymer · layup · autoclave · cure · tooling · molding · thermoset · thermoplastic · fabrication · ply
filament
Very thin thread
woven · braiding · roving · weave · textile · pitch · precursor · PAN · unidirectional · bidirectional
tensile strength
Resistance to pulling force
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- rigidityState of being unbending
- strength-to-weightForce capacity per unit mass
load-bearing · durability · toughness · lightweight · corrosion resistance · electrical conductivity · impact resistance · high-strength · resilience · robustness
tennis rackets
Strung frames for court sport
- golf clubsImplements for hitting balls
- racing carsVehicles designed for competition
- Formula OneTop-tier open-wheel racing
sporting goods · automotive · prosthetics · fishing rods · helmets · drones · yachts · medical devices · pressure vessels · tripods
fuselage
Aircraft's central structure
- wingletsUpturned aircraft appendages
- airframeAircraft's structural body
- control surfacesMovable parts directing aircraft
rudder · aircraft · spacecraft · satellites · rockets · aviation · propulsion · aerodynamics · space exploration · jet engines
- synthetic fibersnylon, polyester, acrylic, rayon, spandex
- construction chemicalsadmixtures, plasticizers, accelerators, retarders, sealants
- rebarrebar, steel bars, bar chairs, bar mats, stirrups
- technical textilesperformance fabrics, protective clothing, geotextiles
carbon fibersglass fibers
Filaments from molten silica
fiberglass · aluminum · steel · natural fibers · iron
carbon fiberscast iron
Brittle iron-carbon alloy
lead · heavy metals · concrete · steel · stone
fiber, carbon, carbonated, carbohydrate, carbonation, carbonara, carbonize, hydrocarbon, bicarbonate