Carbon micro-coils (CMCs) with 3D-helical/spiral structures and coil diameters on the order of micrometer were obtained by metal-catalyzed pyrolysis of acetylene at 700-800 C. The preparation conditions, morphology, growth mechanism, microstructure, and some properties of the CMCs were examined in detail. Two pieces of vapor grown carbon fibers grown from a metal catalyst grain curl and entwine each other due to the anisotropic catalytic activity between different crystal faces of the catalyst grain and thus form double-helix CMCs. CMCs have an almost amorphous structure but could be graphitized by high-temperature heat treatment with full preservation of the coiling morphology. The CMCs could effectively generate inductive electromotive force, inductive current and thus Joul's heat under microwave irradiation. The CMCs/elastic polymer composite elements showed high tactile sensing properties which are comparable to that of human skin. The CMCs are a possible candidate for electromagnetic wave absorbers, remote heating materials, visualization elements of microwaves, tactile sensor elements, micro-antennae, chiral catalysts, bio-activators or biodeactivators, energy converters, etc.