A process for preparing a vitreous carbon including the steps of: (I) providing a curable low viscosity liquid carbon precursor formulation comprising (a) at least one aromatic epoxy resin; and (b)(i) at least one aromatic co-reactive curing agent, (b) (ii) at least one catalytic curing agent, or (b)(iii) a mixture thereof; wherein the liquid precursor composition has a neat viscosity of less than 10,000 mPa-s at 25° C. prior to adding optional components, prior to curing, and prior to carbonizing; and wherein the liquid precursor composition being cured has a carbon yield of at least 35 weight percent as measured in the absence of optional components; (II) curing the liquid formulation from step (I) to form a cured product wherein the cured product has a carbon yield of at least 35 weight percent as measured in the absence of optional components; (III) carbonizing the cured product from step (II) to form a carbonized composition; and (IV) purifying the carbonized product from step (III) to form a vitreous carbon composition; and a vitreous carbon prepared by the above process.