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Less expensive carbon fibers may become available in the future by production from vapor phase hydrocarbons. In this process, iron based catalytic particles of a few nanometers diameter grow carbon filaments when they are exposed to hydrocarbon vapor near 1000°C. These filaments are of nanometer diameter but may be thickened by deposition of carbon from the vapor phase. The mechanical properties of the fibers made by this processs resemble those of medium quality commercial fibers; the electrical and thermal conductivities are also desirable.