Vitreous carbon — A new form of carbon

The carbonisation of certain cross-linked polymers under carefully controlled conditions yields a non-graphitising carbon which, on account of its high lustre and conchoidal fracture, has been called “vitreous carbon”. Other properties distinguishing vitreous carbon from the more common forms of the element include high strength, hardness, and resistance to corrosion, with low porosity and permeability. It has advantages over other materials of construction in a wide range of laboratory, metallurgical, mechanical, and electrical applications.