The modern pathway to the industrialization of carbon fiber is the precursor fiber carbonization process. The processes used to produce carbon fibers from these three precursor fibers include stabilization (200-400 degrees Celsius in air, or chemical treatment with refractory reagents), carbonization (400-1400 degrees Celsius, nitrogen), and graphitization (1800 degrees Celsius or more, in an argon atmosphere). Surface treatment, sizing and drying processes are required to improve the bonding properties of the carbon fibers to the composite matrix.
Another method of manufacturing carbon fibers is gas-phase growth. A mixture of methane and hydrogen can be reacted in the presence of a catalyst at 1,000 degrees. Discontinuous short carbon fibers with a maximum length of 50 cm are produced. The structure is different from polyacrylonitrile-based or asphalt-based carbon fibers. It is easily graphitized, has good mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity, and forms interlayer compounds.
Expanded Information:
Development of Carbon Fibers:
In the early 1990s, high and ultra-high performance carbon fibers were introduced. Future work is expected to be devoted to improving processes, expanding production, reducing costs, and developing applications. Some special carbon fibers, such as oxidation-resistant carbon fibers (to increase the service temperature of composites) and low-fiber carbon fibers (to make 0.035mm ultra-thin prepreg tapes).
High thermal conductivity and low resistance carbon fiber (meet the shielding electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, and release excess heat), low coefficient of thermal expansion carbon fiber (used in satellite antenna systems, mirrors, etc.), hollow carbon fibers (used in aircraft manufacturing) industry, to improve the composite materials, nuclear reactor high temperature filtration media impact toughness).
With the development of science and engineering, the separation of biological macromolecules serum and plasma media and activated carbon fibers will be greatly developed. In the near future, significant progress will be made in the continuous production of gas-phase-grown carbon fibers, and the date for industrialization is not too far away.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Carbon Fiber