[WARRAVEN]

I play PB and I was wondering the physical and chemical properties of the Fiber Wrapped tanks we use for containing compressed air in our higher end markers.
All the tanks are listed as Carbon Fiber wrapped and are 5 times lighter than the steel tanks. These tanks are very similar to the medical versions of the tanks if you wish to use those as a reference. I was wondering if it had anything to do with the diference between Graphite and Diamond(van-der-waals forces and actual bonds), or something similar to that, or whether it had something to do with the carbon tubes that are being used in most flat panel displays and new computer technology(the concept, not the actual composition and stuff, I don't mean I think it is made from carbon tubes or anything, and I know that the carbon is in very thin sheets and wrapped apon it).
 Carbon is being made into some amazing things simply off of position and bond and forces, and I wish to understand this carbon-type process. Thankyou!

       Raven  :devil1:

[gregpawin]

Though I'm no expert, I believe they use carbon fiber for its excellent tensile strength and low density.

Carbon's covalent bonds are very strong.  The most evenly distributed bonds are as in diamond.  With graphite, carbon is making more directional bonds in the form of planes, or sheets of graphite.  However, I believe Arthur C. Clarke conjectured that a space elevator could be created with a few inch (or other small unit) diameter rope of "carbon fiber".  I think what they're saying this incredibly strong rope is the same kind of carbon structure as in carbon nanotubes.  Yet they're still able to make a crude version that is not exactly the same structure and strength as carbon nanotubes, but is somewhere in the middle.  And that's what I think they're using in car hoods, bikes, and these compressed air tanks.  Not quite nanotubes, but exploiting the same strength of carbon using different structures.

[WARRAVEN]

Hmm.. thats what I figured, but I only know a small outline of that. Thankyou for the info! Its been wracking my brain for a while, especially since its always been good to have these tanks, seeing as they are at least 5 times lighter than the steel ones. But the softness got me, I see now from your post it probably took that characteristice from the graphite, as its a soft material. Thankyou!

                 Raven  :devil1: