Carbon fiber is a strong, lightweight material that is used in a variety of applications, including aerospace, automotive, and sporting goods. Carbon fiber is made from carbon-based materials, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or pitch, and is produced by a process called carbonization, in which the material is heated to high temperatures in an inert atmosphere. The resulting product is a carbon fiber that is composed of long, thin, and strong fibers. Carbon fiber has a variety of advantages over other materials, including its high strength-to-weight ratio, high stiffness, and low thermal expansion. Additionally, carbon fiber is resistant to chemical attack and is non-conductive.