If pounded into long thin ribbons, graphite starts to bond itself to other graphite, forming much stronger graphite fibers. People then use these fibers to bind to epoxy or resin to make a super strong and light material that can be used on anything from sporting equipment to carbon fiber hoods to parts for space ships.

Using carbon fiber to reinforce car parts has several advantages, especially in a racing scenario. Diamonds are made from carbon, and it's nearly equivalent to coating your car in diamond. It doesn't buckle under stress from heat, it won't give in to pressure, and all this in a very lightweight form. Many people find that a carbon fiber hood is the best use of the material, since hoods have to take a lot of heat, but are also very large and shouldn't be heavy.

The facts on this are that a hood can be about a quarter of your entire car's body. Carbon fiber hoods can cut down the weight of your car by up to 60%. The ability of carbon fiber hoods to stand up to heat is also important. A properly vented carbon fiber hood can help keep your engine as much as 25% cooler. These improvements are nice for everyday driving, but also fantastic news for racers.

Carbon fiber parts are also very customizable because of their current popularity. There are a lot of manufacturers making them, so it's possible to get anything you want made from carbon fiber in any color you need. Because there are so many people making them, though, it's best to ensure that the parts you buy are always A grade, not B or C. A grade parts are top quality, while the others have run into some errors along the manufacturing lines.

There is a lot to take into consideration when choosing car parts, but the addition of carbon fiber hoods to a racing vehicle is a no-brainer. There are advantages on every level, from performance to customizability. While you have to look out when purchasing any carbon fiber parts, finding the right dealer is doable. Carbon fiber is the result of decades of science and is the preferred material for going to space. Imagine where carbon fiber hoods could take you.