Carbon fibers or carbonfibres (alternatively CF, graphite fiber or graphite fibre) are fibers about5–10 micrometres in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. To produce acarbon fiber, the carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more orless aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber as the crystal alignmentgives the fiber high strength-to-volume ratio (making it strong for its size).Several thousand carbon fibers are bundled together to form a tow, which may beused by itself or woven into a fabric.
Carbon fiber material has awide range of applications, as it can be formed at various densities inlimitless shapes and sizes. Carbon fiber is often shaped into tubing, fabric,and cloth, and can be custom-formed into any number of composite parts andpieces.
Carbon fiber reinforcedpolymer, carbon fiber reinforced plastic or carbon fiber reinforcedthermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP or often simply carbon fiber, or even carbon),is an extremely strong and light fiber-reinforced plastic which contains carbonfibers. CFRPs can be expensive to produce but are commonly used wherever highstrength-to-weight ratio and rigidity are required, such as aerospace,automotive, civil engineering, sports goods and an increasing number of otherconsumer and technical applications.