carbon
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carbon fiber
A lightweight but very strong fiber-reinforced composite material made from carbon fibers, often used in vehicle construction, aerospace, and sports equipment.
Mein neues Rennrad hat einen Rahmen aus Carbon und ist daher extrem leicht.
My new racing bike has a carbon fiber frame and is therefore extremely light.
The meaning of 'Carbon' is almost always the material. If the context is sports equipment, cars, or technology, it refers to the material. The meaning 'Kohlenstoff' (carbon) is very rare and is found almost only in scientific texts that are strongly influenced by English.
Die Angelrute aus Carbon ist sehr leicht und stabil.
The carbon fiber fishing rod is very light and strong.
As a material, 'Carbon' is often used with the preposition 'aus' (made of/from) or is part of compound words. Typical examples are 'ein Bauteil aus Carbon' (a component made of carbon fiber), 'Carbonfaser' (carbon fiber), or 'Carbonrahmen' (carbon fiber frame).
Viele Teile des Rennwagens sind aus Carbon gefertigt.
Many parts of the race car are made of carbon fiber.
The use of 'Carbon' for the chemical element is limited to specialized language. In general usage and at school, only the word 'Kohlenstoff' (carbon) is used.
Die Analyse zeigte einen hohen Anteil an Carbon im Gestein.
The analysis showed a high proportion of carbon in the rock.
coal
'die Kohle' and 'das Carbon' can be confused because both can have to do with carbon. However, 'Kohle' means a black combustible raw material, for example for energy or heating. 'Carbon' usually means a modern, light, and strong material made from carbon fibers, for example in bicycles or cars. In rare technical contexts, 'Carbon' can also stand for the element carbon. In everyday language, however, you do not say 'Carbon' when you mean coal for heating or grilling.
Alinas neues Fahrrad ist aus Carbon und deshalb sehr leicht.
Alina's new bike is made of carbon fiber and is therefore very light.
Im alten Keller lag noch Kohle für den Ofen.
There was still coal for the stove in the old cellar.