Carbon fiber is a fiber material used in combination with epoxy resin to make lightweight composites that are extremely strong and rigid. It is not only the specific strength and stiffness that make carbon fiber special, but also that the mechanical properties can be different in different directions due to the orientation of the laminated fibers.

The mechanical properties of metals, for example, are the same in all directions. By matching the fiber direction to the load-bearing requirements, structures can be made lighter, stronger and more rigid. Given a good 3D design, a carbon fiber structure can be up to 40% to 70% lighter than a comparable aluminum or steel structure.