What is Carbon Fiber:
The first thing that comes to mind when one reads ‘carbon fiber’ is something along the lines of: a type of fiber, like thread, made out of carbon atoms. That definition isn’t far off. Carbon fiber is a sturdy yet lightweight material made of thin, strong crystalline filaments (thread-like objects) of carbon. This strong crystalline form of carbon is also known as graphite; hence, carbon fiber is commonly referred to as graphite fiber.
The Discovery of Carbon Fiber:
Scientist Roger Bacon joined Parma Technical Center in 1956 and took up the task of finding the triple point of graphite. The triple point of any substance is the temperature and rate at which the gas, liquid, and the solid form can coexist. During his research, he noticed that the shift from the gas to the solid form would result in a drip-stone-like shape. After breaking those drip-stone’s open, he found miniscule, yet durable strands of graphite. These graphite filaments are 1/10 the diameter of a strand of hair and one inch long, though they’re incredibly strong due to the carbon atoms in the filaments being arranged in a hexagonal pattern. The hexagonal shape allows the carbon atoms to create strong covalent bonds with the rest of their neighbors. These filaments are the monomers of carbon fiber as they get bunched up together to form carbon fiber.
Usage Of Carbon Fiber:
Due to carbon fiber being strong and considerably lighter than other materials like iron and steel—because carbon doesn’t weigh much—it’s very common in several fields. It’s often combined with other materials to create a composition with a very high strength-to-weight ratio, which enhances the properties of carbon fiber even more. A high strength-to-weight ratio represents the material’s ability to withstand a ton of stress while being lightweight. This attribute of being lightweight and strong, along with other properties, is what makes carbon fiber so advantageous in the sporting goods, aerospace, and automotive industries, to name a few.
Sporting Goods Industry:
Everyone wants lightweight equipment without compromising strength. Here, carbon fiber provides that ‘edge’ that many athletes are looking for. It’s commonly used to create bike frames for professional riders and various different types of rackets and bats. Professional bikers find bikes with a carbon fiber frame to be lighter, which makes it easier to paddle and requires less energy. When they apply their ‘normal’ amount of energy, they’re able to go faster. The same happens for those who play racket sports. When carbon fiber is mixed with the strings and frame, a lightweight racket or bat is created. This equipment is easier to swing and will eventually help athletes hit the ball or birdie harder.
Aerospace Industry:
The aerospace industry was one of the first to use carbon fiber, primarily due to its weight, as even a slight decrease in weight can improve fuel efficiency and performance. NASA has recently found another use of carbon fiber. They combined a ductile carbon nanotube with carbon fiber to create a material used for reinforcement due to its stiffness and toughness. It can conform into complex geometrical shapes, providing greater environmental stability, and saving them a lot of money.
Automotive Industry:
In the automotive industry, carbon fiber is used due to its quality of being light, which helps cars accelerate and reach top speed. However, this is not the only reason carbon fiber is utilized in this field. As EVs (electric vehicles) become more popular, so do the uses of carbon fiber. It is being used as a component in electric vehicle batteries because it’s fire-resistant, cost-effective, and compatible with various car types. Additionally, the look and texture of carbon fiber have also attracted a lot of attention. Carbon fiber is being used for interior designs of luxurious cars due to its chic look.
Conclusion:
Carbon fiber is relatively new compared to other traditional metals, though it’s proving to be in higher demand than ever before due to its distinct properties. Now, we can only wait for more of such innovations to emerge involving the use of carbon fiber.
References
“Carbon Fiber-Carbon Nanotube Yarn Hybrid Reinforcement.” NASA, NASA, technology.nasa.gov/patent/LEW-TOPS-154. Accessed 24 Aug. 2024.
“Carbon Fiber.” Polymer Science Learning Center, pslc.ws/macrog/carfib.htm. Accessed 24 Aug. 2024.
“Carbon Fibre in the Automotive Industry.” Penta, 28 Sept. 2023, www.pentapatterns.co.uk/carbon-fibre-in-the-automotive-industry/#:~:text=Structural%20Components&text=Structural%20applications%20of%20carbon%20fibre,plus%20side%20sills%20and%20more.
G-Innovative. “What Is Carbon Fiber?” Innovative Composite Engineering, 22 Mar. 2022, www.innovativecomposite.com/what-is-carbon-fiber/.
“High Performance Carbon Fibers - National Historic Chemical Landmark.” American Chemical Society, www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/carbonfibers.html#:~:text=Carbon%20fibers%20are%20polymers%20of,entire%20length%20of%20the%20filament. Accessed 24 Aug. 2024.
Johnson, Todd. “What Is Carbon Fiber Used For?” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 22 June 2018, www.thoughtco.com/uses-of-carbon-fiber-820394.
SMITeam. “The Common Uses and Benefits of Carbon Sports Equipment.” SMI Composites, 2 Jan. 2024, www.smicomposites.com/the-common-uses-and-benefits-of-carbon-sports-equipment/#:~:text=Carbon%20fiber%27s%20main%20advantage%20in,Tennis%20rackets.
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