Polymer-derived filaments with graphite-like sheets — aero, bikes and a fire story that is about the resin, not the fibre.
Also called: CFRP · graphite fibre · PAN-based CF
Carbon fibre is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under advanced: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.
Scores compare Carbon fibre with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.
Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.
Deep introduction
Carbon fibre (C (turbostratic graphite)) is a family of grades whose density ~1.8 g/cm³ fibre, heat band sublimes; resin burns, and fire letter fibre A1-ish; CFRP follows the matrix.
Carbon fibre is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry C (turbostratic graphite), density ~1.8 g/cm³ fibre, heat band sublimes; resin burns.
This atlas treats Carbon fibre as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.
Conductivity note: high along fibre; low through-thickness in composites. Insulation score 24/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.
Fire letter in editorial use: fibre A1-ish; CFRP follows the matrix. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.
Origin: Edison carbon filament; Shindo/Watt 1960s PAN, Japan / UK / US. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.
Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: graphene.
Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.
Circularity mark 26/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.
United States · 2009–
Boeing 787 is a reference point in the public image of Carbon fibre.
United Kingdom · 1981
McLaren MP4/1 is a reference point in the public image of Carbon fibre.
Japan · 1970s–
Toray T300 is a reference point in the public image of Carbon fibre.
United States · 2000s
Trek Madone CF is a reference point in the public image of Carbon fibre.
Europe · 2000s
A380 wing bits is a reference point in the public image of Carbon fibre.
Japan / US · 1970s–
Golf shaft is a reference point in the public image of Carbon fibre.
Global · 1990s–
Pressure vessel COPV is a reference point in the public image of Carbon fibre.
Europe · 2000s–
Wind-blade spar is a reference point in the public image of Carbon fibre.
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Same family or rival physics — pick a duel.
Closest neighbours on the six atlas axes — strength, heat, fire, insulation, workability and circularity.
A one-atom carbon sheet — Nobel-era physics, composites hype, and a few honest electronics and barrier uses.
Overall 50 🦺Aromatic polyamide pulps and filaments — ballistic packs, hot-gas filtration and asbestos replacement.
Overall 62 ✈️High specific strength and chloride-tolerant films — airframes, implants and seawater.
Overall 58 🩺Near-equiatomic Ni–Ti that remembers shape and super-elasticates — stents, orthodontics and actuators.
Overall 48A one-atom carbon sheet — Nobel-era physics, composites hype, and a few honest electronics and barrier uses.
Overall 50 ☁️A nanoscale silica sponge — among the lowest solid λ values, fragile unless blanketed, and A1 when purely inorganic.
Overall 60 🩺Near-equiatomic Ni–Ti that remembers shape and super-elasticates — stents, orthodontics and actuators.
Overall 48 ☀️ABX3 halide crystals that jumped laboratory solar efficiency — still fighting humidity, lead and lifetime.
Overall 26