What is the main characteristic of carbon fiber?

The main characteristic of carbon fiber is its high strength to weight ratio. This means that carbon fiber is significantly stronger than many other materials while being very lightweight. This quality makes it particularly useful in applications where reducing weight is critical, such as in aerospace, automotive, and sporting goods industries. The ability to withstand high levels of stress without adding substantial weight enhances the performance and efficiency of products made with carbon fiber.

While carbon fiber does possess some degree of flexibility, it is predominantly known for its rigidity and strength. It does not offer excellent thermal insulation properties compared to materials specifically designed for that purpose, and it has low electrical conductivity, which makes it useful in applications where insulation from electricity is required. These properties further clarify why the high strength to weight ratio stands out as the defining characteristic of this material.