Carbon Fibre is a graphite fabric especially designed for use in laminates which have critical requirements for maximum stiffness, extremely high tensile (3 times that of steel) and comprehensive (5 times that of steel) strengths, with low weight.

Its main function is local reinforcement to improve the strength to weight ratio of highly stressed parts. Carbon fibre is weak in shear strength and impact resistance and is usually shielded from abrasion with fibreglass or Kevlar®.