C (turbostratic graphite)
ChemistryCarbon fibre is specified as C (turbostratic graphite). Density band ~1.8 g/cm³ fibre.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength96
Heat resistance70
Fire performance50
Insulation24
Workability30
Circularity26
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Quick answers
Is Carbon fibre non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: fibre A1-ish; CFRP follows the matrix. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Carbon fibre insulate?
Thermal mark 24/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: high along fibre; low through-thickness in composites.
What is the density band?
~1.8 g/cm³ fibre
How is it made?
Origin story: Edison carbon filament; Shindo/Watt 1960s PAN (Japan / UK / US).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 26/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
sublimes; resin burns
heat 70 · fire 50
What holds Carbon fibre together is not the nickname. Formula C (turbostratic graphite), density ~1.8 g/cm³ fibre.
Meters are atlas-relative. Grades are the SKUs buyers write.
Phases
Microstructure
OrderProcessing sets grain, crystallinity or fibre orientation — the reason two lots of Carbon fibre can test differently.
Interfaces
SurfacesCoatings, oxide films, sizings or paper faces often decide weather and fire behaviour more than the bulk brochure.
Defects
FlawsInclusions, voids, knots, pinholes or residual stress start the failures that mill certificates do not list.
Grades
VariantsCarbon fibre is a family. Grade names below are the ones buyers actually write on RFQs.
Ageing
TimeMoisture, UV, creep, hydrogen or carbonation shift properties in service. Design to the aged state.
Relative meters
Strength96
Strength is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Heat envelope70
Heat envelope is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Fire behaviour50
Fire behaviour is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Insulation24
Insulation is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Workability30
Workability is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Circularity26
Circularity is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Grades
Standard modulus
T300 class, industrial.T300 class, industrial.
Intermediate IM
Aero wings.Aero wings.
High modulus HM
Space / premium.Space / premium.
Pitch fibre
Ultra-high K, niche.Ultra-high K, niche.
Recycled milled
Compounds, not flight.Compounds, not flight.
Bonds
Primary bonding
Carbon fibre holds together by ionic/covalent networks.
Secondary forces
Hydrogen bonds, van der Waals stacks or grain-boundary cohesion set toughness and moisture uptake.
Composites & fills
Fillers, fibres, plasticisers or aggregates are part of the real product, not impurities.
Environment film
Oxides, chars, sizings or paints are the layer the world actually meets.
Change the grade, the coating or the moisture and you have a different material with the same English name.
Keep exploring
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