Carbon fiber facts for kids
Carbon fiber is a super strong and lightweight material. It is made from tiny threads of carbon atoms. Imagine a material that is much lighter than steel but incredibly strong! That is carbon fiber. It is also known as graphite fiber.
Carbon fiber is great because it can handle a lot of pushing force. It is also very light for how strong it is. This material does not expand or shrink much with temperature changes. It is much less dense than steel. Carbon fiber looks like thousands of long, thin strands. Each strand is made mostly of carbon atoms.
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What is Carbon Fiber Used For?
Carbon fiber is often used to make other materials stronger. It is especially important in materials called composites. One common type is carbon fiber reinforced polymers. These are plastics made much stronger with carbon fiber.
High-Temperature Uses
A special type of carbon fiber material is called reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC). This material is used in places that get very hot. For example, it is used in parts of rockets and spacecraft. Carbon fiber can also help clean hot gases by filtering them.
Fire Protection
Adding a thin layer of carbon fibers can make plastics much more resistant to fire. This works because the carbon fibers create a dense layer. This layer helps to reflect heat away from the material.
In Airplanes and Cars
Carbon fiber composites are becoming very popular in aerospace. They are replacing heavier metals like aluminum in airplanes. This helps make planes lighter and more fuel-efficient. You can also find carbon fiber in high-performance cars and sports equipment.
Related Materials
Images for kids
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Carbon fiber reinforced polymer
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An Airbus A350 with carbon fiber themed livery. Composite materials are used extensively throughout the A350.
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A carbon-fiber and Kevlar canoe (Placid Boatworks Rapidfire at the Adirondack Canoe Classic)
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Dunlop "Max-Grip" carbon fiber guitar picks. Sizes 1mm and Jazz III.
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See also
In Spanish: Polímero reforzado con fibra de carbono para niños
