Carbon fiber is a type of fiber that possesses exceptional strength and a high modulus, with a carbon content exceeding 90%. Its noteworthy attribute is its remarkable resistance to high temperatures, surpassing that of all other chemical fibers. Obtained through the process of oxidation and carbonization at elevated temperatures, carbon fiber is created by combining acrylic fiber and viscose fiber. Due to its unparalleled qualities, it serves as an exceptional material for the production of advanced aerospace and high-tech equipment.
Carbon fiber is primarily made up of the carbon element and possesses exceptional properties such as high temperature resistance, friction resistance, heat conduction, and corrosion resistance. It is characterized by its fibrous appearance, soft texture, and versatility in being processed into various fabrics. Due to its preferentially oriented graphite microcrystalline structure along the fiber axis, carbon fiber exhibits remarkable strength and modulus along this axis. Moreover, its low density contributes to its high specific strength and specific modulus. The primary application of carbon fiber is in combination with resin, metal, ceramics, and carbon to create advanced composite materials. Notably, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites exhibit the highest specific strength and specific modulus compared to other engineering materials.
Carbon fiber has a diameter of merely 5 microns, which is about one tenth to one twelfth of a human hair. Despite its tiny size, this material possesses remarkable strength, surpassing that of aluminum alloy by over four times.