The influence of graphitization on the mechanical properties of carbon fibers

Abstract

Structure and preferred orientation of a series of carbon fibers with various degrees of graphitization have been studied by X-ray diffraction. The relationship between preferred orientation and Young's modulus differs from that reported for non-graphitic carbon fibers. The difference is explained by an increase of the shear compliance of the structural unit with increasing graphitization which results, for constant preferred orientation, in a decrease of the Young's modulus of the fiber with increasing graphitization.