Carbo-plas

This is a Research Compound obtained through the Crew Skill Investigation (it may have other ways to obtain it, this is just the one I know of.) It is used to make Armstech Barrel Improvements that are learned by Reverse Engineering the Green Barrel Improvements. They are better than the same level Green Barrel Improvement as well as the next higher level Green Barrel. It is also used to make Blue versions of many Armstech weapons. These schematics can be discovered in the same way as the Blue Barrels. It is the first crafting material used for these blue weapons and enhancements used in the Armstech Crew Skill.

Edit: After doing more research and work on the Armstech Crew Skill, I have found that it is used for most (if not all) Prototype Weapons and other crafted Prototype-quality items.

I received this from an Investigation companion quest reward, but I'm not sure what it is used for. I assume it is a trade skill related object.

investigation: http://www.torhead.com/crew-missions/catg/4