The addition of 1,2 and 3 %vol. of carbon fiber to a cement matrix results in an increase in the uniaxial tensile strength of 32, 48 and 56%, respectively. The enhancement of the composite flexural strength was more significant, as compared to the uniaxial tensile strength.

Carbon fiber, a composite material, is an increasingly popular non-metallic material commonly used for bicycle frames. Although expensive, it is light-weight, corrosion-resistant and strong, and can be formed into almost any shape desired.

The alignment and weave of the cloth fibers is chosen to optimize the strength and stiffness properties of the resulting material. The mold is then filled with epoxy and is heated or air-cured. The resulting part is very corrosion-resistant, stiff, and strong for its weight.

Carbon fiber is an extremely appealing material for high-performance applications. In most applications form and looks are secondary to the function. Over the past couple of years more and more good looking carbon fiber has hit the accessories market for cars and motorcycles a like.

The effect of carbon fibers on the mechanical properties of cement paste composites is studied. The addition of polyacrylonitrite-based carbon fiber to a cementitious paste matrix results in a significant improvement in the tensile and flexural properties of the composites. The uniaxial tensile strength results are obtained using the novel cementitious composites axial tensile technique.

Weibull statistics indicate that reliability in flexure was not enhanced by fiber addition and there was no correlation between the percent fiber loading and the reliability of the composites. However, the reliability of the carbon-fiber-reinforced composite in tension was greatly improved and there is a positive correlation between fiber loading and the Weibull modulus.