Carbon fiber is a high-performance material made of thin, strong crystalline filaments of carbon atoms. These filaments, often 5–10 microns in diameter (thinner than a human hair), are bonded in long chains that provide exceptional strength and stiffness.PFH Private Hochschule Göttingen +2Composition and Structure
• Carbon Content: Most carbon fiber is at least 90–95% pure carbon.
• Atomic Arrangement: Carbon atoms are arranged in a microscopic crystalline structure called graphitic planes, which are aligned parallel to the fiber's long axis for maximum strength.
• Tows and Weaves: Thousands of individual filaments are bundled together to form a "tow" (e.g., 3K, 6K, or 12K, representing the number of filaments in thousands). These tows are then woven into fabrics or used in unidirectional sheets.