Simultaneous PAN Carbonization and Ceramic Sintering for Fabricating Carbon Fiber-Ceramic Composite Heaters

Abstract

In this study, a single firing was used to convert stabilized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers and ceramic forming materials (kaolin, feldspar, and quartz) into carbon fiber/ceramic composites. For the first time, PAN carbonization and ceramic sintering were achieved simultaneously in one thermal cycle and the microscopic morphologies and physical features of the obtained carbon fiber/ceramic composites were characterized in detail. The obtained carbon fiber/ceramic composite showed comparable flexural strength as commercial ceramic tiles. Meanwhile, the composite showed exceptional electro-thermal performance based on the electro-thermal performance of the carbonized PAN fibers, which could reach 108 ℃ after 15 s, 204 ℃ after 90 s, and 292 ℃ after 450 s at 5 V (2.6 A), thereby making the ceramic composite a good candidate as an indoor climate control heater, defogger device, kettle, and other heating element.

Property of TiO2-15MgAl2O4 Electrical-Heating Coating Prepared by Atmospheric Plasma Spraying and Hydrogen Heat Treatment

“…Recently, researchers used carbonaceous materials as heating elements to fabricate heaters, including carbon nanotubes (CNTS), graphene, and carbon fiber [1][2][3]. The carbonaceous composite material electrical heaters are mainly applied in flexible conductors and low-power applications, including wearable heating equipment, defogger devices, and indoor climate control heater [4][5][6]. The common metal electrical-heating materials include nickel-chromium alloy, iron-aluminum alloy, copper-based alloy, etc.…”