Reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC)—also known as carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon. A composite material made up of layers of rayon cloth impregnated with a carbon resin and then baked into a hard surface. It is used for structural applications in situations subject to extremely high temperatures, such as the space shuttle’s nose and leading edge of its wings, the nose cones of intercontinental ballistic missiles, and Formula One car disc brakes. RCC is structurally strong and tough, but brittle when impacted with sufficient force.
