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EP0219964A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of producing carbon fibers, and carbon fibers themselves

Assignee: Clemson University
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Filing: 1986-09-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-09-09
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Abstract

Abstract Carbon fibers having a multi-lobal transverse cross-section (Figs. 7b, 7c) are produced by extruding a carbonaceous anisotropic liquid precursor through a spinneret (14) having a capillary (26) with a multi-lobal cross-section. The extruded filament is solidified in an ambient atmosphere in a quench carbinet (28) and then is rendered infusible by heating in an oven (42) in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. Thereafter, the filament is heated in an inert environment at a temperature sufficient to substantially increase the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the filament.

Inventors

  • 👤 Danny Dale Edie
  • 👤 Norman Keaton Fox

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 19:28
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01F; D01F9/00; D01F9/08; D01F9/12; D01F9/14; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/253; D01F9/20; D01F9/21; D01F9/22; D01F9/32

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 105 words
A method for producing a high elastic modulus, high tensile strength carbon fiber, comprising the steps of: providing a molten precursor containing a substantial proportion of carbonaceous anisotropic material; extruding said molten precursor through a spinneret defining a capillary having at least one lobe-shaped cross-sectional area; solidifying the extruded precursor as it emerges from the spinneret, into a fiber filament having a transverse cross-section substantially like the transverse cross-section of said capillary; rendering the fiber filament infusible; and thereafter heating the fiber filament in an inert environment at a temperature sufficient to substantially increase the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the fiber filament.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 105 words
A method for producing a high elastic modulus, high tensile strength carbon fiber, comprising the steps of: providing a molten precursor containing a substantial proportion of carbonaceous anisotropic material; extruding said molten precursor through a spinneret defining a capillary having at least one lobe-shaped cross-sectional area; solidifying the extruded precursor as it emerges from the spinneret, into a fiber filament having a transverse cross-section substantially like the transverse cross-section of said capillary; rendering the fiber filament infusible; and thereafter heating the fiber filament in an inert environment at a temperature sufficient to substantially increase the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the fiber filament.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of rendering the fiber filament infusible includes heating the fiber filament in an environment including oxygen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the step of heating the filament in an inert environment is performed in nitrogen gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the spinneret defines a capillary having three lobe-shaped cross-sectional areas and the extruded fiber filament emerging from the spinneret is solidified into a fiver having a trilobal cross-­section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein the spinneret defines a capillary having a T-shaped cross-sectional area and the extruded precursor emerging from the spinneret is solidified into a fiber filament having a T-shaped cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein the spinneret defines a capillary having a Y-shaped cross-sectional area and the extruded precursor emerging from the spinneret is solidified into a fiber filament having a substantially Y-shaped cross-section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the spinneret defines a capillary having four lobe-shaped cross-sectional areas and the extruded precursor emerging from the spinneret is solidified into a fiber filament having a quadra­lobal cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the spinneret defines a capillary having five lobe-shaped cross-sectional areas and the extruded precursor emerging from the spinneret is solidified into a fiber filament having a pentalobal cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the spinneret defines a capillary having six lobe-shaped cross-sectional areas and the extruded precursor emerging from the spinneret is solidified into a fiber filament having a hexalobal cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the spinneret defines a capillary having eight lobe-shaped cross-sectional areas and the extruded precursor emerging from the spinneret is solidified into a fiber filament having an octalobal cross-section.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 139 words
A method for producing a high elastic modulus, high tensile strength carbon fiber, comprising the steps of providing a molten precursor containing a substantial proportion of carbonaceous anisotropic material; maintaining the molten precursor at a temperature such that the viscosity of the molten precursor falls within the range between about 250 poise (25 Pa s) and a bout 2000 poise (200 Pa s); extruding said molten precursor through a spinneret defining a capillary having at least one lobe-shaped cross-sectional area; solidifying the extruded precursor as it emerges from the spinneret, into a fiber filament having a transverse cross-section substantially like the transverse cross-section of said capillary; rendering the fiber filament infusible; and thereafter heating the fiber filament in an inert environment at a temperature sufficient to substantially increase the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the fiber filament.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 139 words
A method for producing a high elastic modulus, high tensile strength carbon fiber, comprising the steps of providing a molten precursor containing a substantial proportion of carbonaceous anisotropic material; maintaining the molten precursor at a temperature such that the viscosity of the molten precursor falls within the range between about 250 poise (25 Pa s) and a bout 2000 poise (200 Pa s); extruding said molten precursor through a spinneret defining a capillary having at least one lobe-shaped cross-sectional area; solidifying the extruded precursor as it emerges from the spinneret, into a fiber filament having a transverse cross-section substantially like the transverse cross-section of said capillary; rendering the fiber filament infusible; and thereafter heating the fiber filament in an inert environment at a temperature sufficient to substantially increase the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the fiber filament.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of rendering the fiber filament infusible includes oxidation of the fiber filament.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 34 words
A carbon fiber having at least one lobe, the or each lobe in a transverse cross-section of the fiber having a micro-structure emanating outwardly from a line extending along the length of the lobe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 34 words
A carbon fiber having at least one lobe, the or each lobe in a transverse cross-section of the fiber having a micro-structure emanating outwardly from a line extending along the length of the lobe.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 19 words
A carbon fiber according to claim 13, wherein the average lobe thickness is no more than about 15 microns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 41 words
A carbon fiber having a multilobal cross-­section, high tensile strength, high modulus of elasticity, and wherein each said lobe in a transverse cross-section of said fiber has a micro-structure emanating outwardly from a line extending along the length of the lobe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 41 words
A carbon fiber having a multilobal cross-­section, high tensile strength, high modulus of elasticity, and wherein each said lobe in a transverse cross-section of said fiber has a micro-structure emanating outwardly from a line extending along the length of the lobe.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 22 words
A carbon fiber according to claim 15, wherein the circumferential distance between any two adjacent lobes of the fiber is the same.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

CH446602A Cited
FR2542329A1 Cited
FR2554834A1 Cited

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