1. MEEN 3344 Oscar E. Corripio Luna
Carbon Fiber
MEEN 3344
Oscar E. Corripio Luna

2. Carbon Fiber Also called graphite fiber.
It is in the form of several long strands of a material mainly composed by carbon atoms.
Each strand is – mm thick in diameter.
First made by Dr.
Roger Bacon.

3. Advantages
It has the greatest compressive strength of all reinforcing materials.
High strength to weight ratio.
Low coefficient of thermal
expansion.
Its density is much lower
than the density of steel.

4. Applications Used to reinforce composite materials
Used structurally in high-temperature applications.
As an electrode with
high surface area and
impeccable corrosion
resistance.
Anti-static component.

5. Creation
Spinning: A polyacrylonitrile plastic is spun into fibers which are then washed and stretched to the desired diameter.
Stabilizing: fibers are heated with O2 to make their bonding more thermally stable.
Carbonizing: fibers then are heated without oxygen, they lose non carbon atoms and bonded carbon crystals are made.
Treating surface: the surface is slightly oxidized.
Sizing: fibers are coated and wounded into bobbins.

6. Carbon Fiber’s Future
Alternate Energy: wind turbines, compressed natural gas storage and transportation fuel cells.
Fuel Efficient Automobiles: moving towards large production series cars.
Construction Infrastructure: light weight pre-cast concrete, earthquake protection.
Oil Exploration: Deep sea drilling platforms, buoyancy, umbilical, choke, kill lines and drill pipes.