PURPOSE: To obtain carbon fiber, having remarkably higher elastic modulus than that of conventional carbon fiber and capable of exhibiting the elastic modulus equal to or higher than the so-called theoretical elastic modulus of graphite and far exceeding the so-called theoretical elastic modulus in some cases.

CONSTITUTION: The objective carbon fiber is characterized by having ≥1000 spread (La) of graphite crystal in the a-axis direction determined by a powder X-ray diffraction spectrum, >104ton/mm2 tensile elastic modulus and ≥15μm fiber diameter according to carbonization or graphitization at ≥3000°C and by having a larger structural construction in which a structure of laminated graphite net planes is bent or folded in the central part than that in the outer peripheral part.