One of the most pioneering materials in current industries is carbon fiber composites. These high-tech materials can be found in sports cars and airplanes, bicycles, and even medical equipment, and not without reason. They weigh less but are extremely powerful and can be used in areas where performance and durability counts.

So what exactly are carbon fiber composites?

Simply put, these are materials that are created by bonding carbon fibers together with a resin, typically epoxy. The carbon fibers are used to give the structure its strength and stiffness, the resin is used to hold it all together and to also give it its shape. Imagine it as a reinforced concrete - the carbon fibers can serve as the steel rods, and the resin can serve as the concrete, and it can all be trapped together.

Strength to weight is one of the largest positive attributes of carbon fiber composites. They weigh far less than such metals as steel or aluminum, but they may be equally strong - or even stronger. That is why they are common in aerospace, automobile, and sports equipment industries. To illustrate that point, high-performance cars are made with carbon fiber frames to be light, thereby enhancing speed and fuel consumption. Likewise, airplanes use these composites to reduce weight and save more fuel.

Durability is another important advantage. Unlike the metals, which may corrode with time, carbon fiber composites do not corrode. This is why they are ideal to be used in tough conditions, be it on a racing circuit, in the open sea or even in space. They are also very good when it comes to vibration-damping, this is why they are applied to bicycles and sporting equipment, such as tennis rackets, to make them comfortable and perform well.

It should be noted, though, that carbon fiber composites also have their difficulties. They are also usually cheaper to make than conventional materials, and they need specialized skills and equipment to repair.