Carbon reinforced fibers have been produced on an industrial scale and used as reinforcement in plastics since the mid seventies. They are made up of over 90% pure carbon.
Due to their high modulus of elasticity, carbon fibers are ideal for applications in which rigidity is the predominant requirement. While glass and aramid fibers offer high electrical insulating properties, carbon fibers are electrically conductive. However, unless the compound has been designed specifically for electrically active applications, the conductivity of carbon filled materials should not be relied upon to be consistent throughout the material. Compared to glass fibers, carbon fibers are very suitable for use in slide wear and low friction applications. Their characteristics support sliding movement and they significantly improve abrasion resistance.
