Carbon Fibre Composite
A lightweight, high-stiffness material made from carbon fibre strands embedded in a polymer resin matrix, widely used in the fabrication of energy-storing orthotic components.
Full Definition
Carbon fibre composite (also rendered as 'carbon fiber composite' in American English) consists of woven or unidirectional carbon fibre reinforcement embedded in epoxy or other polymer resins. In orthotics, it is used to fabricate thin, rigid-yet-light shells for AFOs, KAFOs, and spinal orthoses, and is the material of choice for energy-storing/energy-returning (ESAR) foot orthoses and prosthetic adapters. Editors should standardize spelling to the house style ('fibre' vs. 'fiber') consistently throughout a document and ensure that 'carbon fibre' is not used interchangeably with 'graphite,' which is chemically related but structurally different. Strength and layup specifications in fabrication orders require careful editorial verification against the device prescription.
Usage
Usage note: Standardize 'fibre' or 'fiber' according to regional house style; do not substitute 'graphite' as a synonym without technical justification.
In Context
- "The posterior leaf spring AFO was fabricated from a 3-mm carbon fibre composite, reducing device weight by 40% compared to the previous polypropylene model." — Orthotic laboratory fabrication record
- "Standardize 'carbon fibre' throughout; the manuscript alternates between 'carbon fiber' and 'graphite composite,' which are not equivalent." — Manuscript copyediting note