Abstract
Potentially low-cost continuous carbon fibers are produced from solvated mesophase pitch through a patented meltblowing process. The structural evolution and properties of the fibers are characterized by various analytical methods. The meltblown fibers are continuous fibers which are collected into a fibrous web form, and the diameter of the filaments is attenuated by the flow rate of air streams. The spun fibers can be rapidly stabilized in air due to the high melting mesogens and the removable solvent. The carbonized fibers show a high carbon yield of 75 wt % (or 86 wt % if the solvents are neglected) and a mean diameter of 8–22 μm with typical fiber diameter distribution and variation. The evolution of the fiber structure depends not only on the processing temperature but also on the fiber diameter. The processed carbon fibers retain the same form as the spun fibers and have a low packing density and reasonable mechanical properties.
Highlights
Carbon fibers (CFs) as a reinforcement in composite materials have been widely used in industry mainly due to their high specific strength and modulus
It is believed that the use of low cost precursors, low cost spinning and thermal processes, and mass production is a critical step toward lower cost CFs and their composites for use in multiple industries [2,3,4]
With a patented meltblown high throughput fiber-spinning technique, solvated mesophase pitch (MP) was spun into fibers at four different nominal diameters corresponding to air flow rates of 40, 60, 80, and 100 Lpm, respectively, and the continuous fibers were collected in a nonwoven fibrous web format
Summary
Carbon fibers (CFs) as a reinforcement in composite materials have been widely used in industry mainly due to their high specific strength and modulus. The large scale use of CFs in aircraft and aerospace is driven by maximum performance and fuel efficiency, while the cost factor and the production requirements are not critical. The use of CFs in general engineering and surface transportation is dominated by cost constraints, high production rate requirements, and generally less critical performance needs [1]. The large-volume application of commercial CFs in the automotive industry has been hindered due to the high fiber costs and the lack of high-speed composite fabrication techniques [2]. It is believed that the use of low cost precursors, low cost spinning and thermal processes, and mass production is a critical step toward lower cost CFs and their composites for use in multiple industries [2,3,4].
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