Fibers, 15. Carbon Fibers

Abstract

The article contains sections titled: 1. Introduction 2. Raw Materials (Precursor Fibers) 3. Production 3.1. Carbon Fiber Production Process (Rayon‐Based) 3.2. Carbon Fiber Production Process (Pitch‐Based) 3.3. Carbon Fiber Production Process (PAN‐Based) 3.3.1. Polyacrylonitrile Polymer and Fiber 3.3.2. Stabilization of PAN Fiber 3.3.3. Carbonization of PAN‐Ox 3.3.4. Graphitization of PAN‐based Carbon Fibers 3.4. Chemical Composition 4. Properties 4.1. Mechanical Properties 4.2. Structure 4.3. Physical and Chemical Properties 5. Uses 5.1. Stabilized Fiber for Textile Applications 5.2. Carbonized Fibers for Electrical Conductivity and Reinforcement Applications 6. Economic Aspects

Accelerating the stabilization of polyacrylonitrile fibers by nitrogen pretreatment

“…At the same time, PAN fibers transforms from a linear structure to a thermostable ladder structure to ensure that the fibers remains incombustible during high-temperature carbonization. 6 The stabilization step normally accounts for 18% of the total production cost of PAN-based carbon fibers production and 63% of the total energy consumption in a single tow pilot plant. 4 Therefore, it is important to reduce the time and energy consumptions of the stabilization step.…”

“…The temperature of stabilization step is generally in the range of 180–300°C, and complex chemical reactions, such as cyclization, dehydrogenation, oxidation, and cross‐linking reactions will occur simultaneously. At the same time, PAN fibers transforms from a linear structure to a thermostable ladder structure to ensure that the fibers remains incombustible during high‐temperature carbonization 6 . The stabilization step normally accounts for 18% of the total production cost of PAN‐based carbon fibers production and 63% of the total energy consumption in a single tow pilot plant 4 .…”

Bringing Light into the Dark—Overview of Environmental Impacts of Carbon Fiber Production and Potential Levers for Reduction

“…According to Fitzer et al, there are generally two types of carbon fiber grades based on the same fundamental production process. Low-tow, ranging from 1 to 24 k filaments, and heavy-tow fibers [ 3 ]. Further differentiation can be made according to the final heat treatment [ 32 ], as well as the tensile elastic modulus and tensile strength [ 49 ].…”

“…The principal production of CFs has been illustrated by various authors before. This article mainly follows the process description of the Japan Carbon Fibre Manufactures Association (JMCA) [ 50 ], the carbon fiber manufacturer Zoltek [ 51 ], and the manufacturing technology supplier Eisenmann [ 52 , 53 ] as well as the more detailed work about carbon fibers by Fitzer et al [ 3 ], Griffing et al [ 2 , 54 ], Morgan [ 55 ], Park [ 56 ], and Wetjen [ 30 ].…”

“…Thus, this contribution aims to tackle the apparent gap in the research regarding the environmental sustainability of CF production under varying boundary conditions. Hereby, the primary research subject is a plausible life cycle inventory (LCI) for high tensile strength, high-tenacity fibers (HT-fibers) of average technical quality made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN), which make up the most significant proportion of the overall produced carbon fibers [ 3 , 30 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. The basic LCI model for the production of CF is based on primary data; its outcomes have been internally reviewed and quality-assured by an industrial advisory board [ 18 , 39 ].…”