What is Carbon fiber reinforced plastic?
[[Image:Cfk heli slw.jpg|thumb|Tail of an RC helicopter, made of CFRP]] '''Carbon fiber reinforced plastic''' ('''CFRP''' or '''CRP'''), is a very strong, light and expensive [[composite material]] or [[Fiber-reinforced polymer|fiber-reinforced plastic]]. Similar to [[glass-reinforced plastic]], one uses commonly the name of its reinforcing [[fiber]]s ([[carbon fiber]]) for the composite material. The [[plastic]] is most often [[epoxy]], but other plastics, such as [[polyester]], [[vinyl ester]] or [[nylon]], are also sometimes used. Some composites contain both carbon fiber and other fibres such as [[kevlar]], [[aluminium]] and fiberglass reinforcement. Less commonly, the terms '''graphite-reinforced plastic''' or '''graphite fiber reinforced plastic''' ('''GFRP''') are also used. It has many applications in [[aerospace]] and [[automotive]] fields, as well as in [[sailboats]], and notably in modern [[bicycle]]s and [[motorcycle]]s, where these qualities are of importance. It is becoming increasingly common in small [[final good|consumer goods]] as well, such as [[laptop]] [[computer]]s, [[tripod]]s, [[fishing rod]]s, [[paintball]] equipment, [[racquet]] [[sport]]s frames, [[string instrument|stringed instrument bodies]], [[classical guitar]] [[vibrating string|strings]], and [[drum]] shells. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic is not always an appropriate substitute for steel or other metals. For example, the implosion of the [[2023 Titan submersible incident|''Titan'' submersible]] was caused by inappropriate use of carbon fiber where steel or titanium should have been used instead. ==Related pages== *[[Carbon fiber]] *[[Graphite]] *[[Aramid]] *[[Fiberglass]] == Other websites == {{Commonscat}} *[http://www.carbonfiber.gr.jp/english/ Japan Carbon Fibre Manufacturers Association (English)] *[http://www.pslc.ws/mactest/carfib.htm Carbon fibre page from the Department of Polymer Science at USM] *[http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2005&itemno=1074 Engineers design composite bracing system for injured Hoki