Carbon Fibers

Carbon fibers are one of the toughest fibers used in textile industries. They are mostly used technical fibers after glass fibre and are the most expensive fibers used in textile industries and elsewhere. Carbon fibre is made from pure carbon in the form of graphite. Broadly it is divided into two types; PAN-based carbon fibre and Pitch-based carbon fibers.

PAN-based carbon fibers are those carbon fibers (chain of carbon atoms), which are obtained from polyacrylnitrile (PAN) by the process of heating and oxidation.

Pitch-based carbon fibers are fibers obtained by passing hot fluid pitch through a nozzle and pulling out the graphite threads.

PAN based carbon fibers have about 80% more strength than Pitch-based carbon fibers. PAN based carbon fibers can withstand temperatures up-to 3500 ^oC. The pitch based carbon fibers can withstand temperatures of about 1300- 1400 ^oC.

Process of Using Carbon Fiber

For using carbon fibre, we first have to make a mould. On the mould a layer of carbon fibre is sprayed and on top of it adhesive is applied. This is then allowed to dry for some time. When the drying process is complete, the layer of carbon fibre is taken out of the mould and thus we obtain our required structure made up of carbon fibers.

Properties of Carbon Fiber 

Carbon fibers have very high strength, are lightweight and have high specific toughness and so it is used in making sports goods, aerospace, marine and road transport. Its high dimensional stability, high abrasion resistance and low coefficient of thermal expansion make it suitable to be used in making missiles, aircraft breaks, aerospace antenna and support structures. Also carbon fibers have good vibration strength, damping and toughness and so it is often used in making audio equipment and robot arms.

Uses of Carbon Fiber

The carbon fibers are biologically and chemically inert. This property makes it suitable for making radiological equipment, chemical industry equipment, using in nuclear field, medical field (implants, artificial ligaments, tendons, etc.) etc.

Carbon fibers have a very unique property. They are self lubricating. This property along with fatigue resistance and high damping makes is very suitable for making textile machineries.

Electrical conductivity and electromagnetic property of carbon fibers make it idle to be used as EMI and RF shields, automobile hoods, base of electrical equipment brushes, novel tooling etc.