ABSTRACTContinuous carbon nanofibers were manufactured using electrospinning technique. The as-spun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were stabilized and carbonized to convert them into carbon nanofibers. The diameters of typical carbon nanofibers were in the range from 100 -500 nanometers. Compared to the vapor grown carbon nanofibers, the electronspun carbon nanofibers were continuous, uniform in diameter, and solid. The electrospun nanofiber samples did not require purification. The carbon nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Electron and X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained and analyzed. Nanocomposites of epoxy resin reinforced with as-spun PAN and carbon nanofibers were fabricated and analyzed. The results showed good potential of continuous carbon nanofibers for nanocomposite and other applications.