Graphite composites have exceptional mechanical properties which are unequaled by other materials. The material is strong, stiff, and lightweight. Carbon graphite composite is the material for applications where lightweight and superior performance is the most important, like components for spacecrafts, fighter aircrafts and racecars.

Composite materials are made by combining reinforcement with matrix, and this combination of the fiber and matrix provide characteristics superior to either of the materials alone. In a composite material, the fiber carry majority of the load, and is the major contributor in the material properties. The resin helps to transfer load between fibers, prevents the fibers from buckling, and binds the materials together.

Graphite fibers are made from organic polymer such as polyacrylonitrile. The material is drawn into fibers and kept under tension while it is heated under high temperature. Two dimensional carbon-carbon crystals are formed when the hydrogen is driven out. The carbon-carbon chain has extremely strong molecular bonds, and that is what gives the fibers its superior mechanical properties.

Historically, expandable graphite composites have been very expensive, which limited its use to only special applications. Over the past fifteen years, as the volume of graphite fiber consumption has increased and the manufacturing processes have improved, the price of graphite composites has steadily declined. Today graphite composites are economically viable in many applications such as sporting goods, performance boats, performance vehicles, and high performance industrial machinery.

Graphite composites are ideally suited for applications where high stiffness and low weight is required. Most metals used for structural applications have very similar specific stiffness. If an application demands high stiffness and lightweight, graphite composites are the only material of choice.

Graphite sheet composites are considered designer’s material, because the parts can be tailored to have strength and or stiffness in the directions and locations that are necessary by strategically placing materials and orienting fiber direction. Also the design and manufacturing flexibility that graphite composites offers provide opportunities to consolidate parts and to incorporate many features into the part to further reduce the total part price.