Fabrication and Properties of Carbon Fibers

TLDR

The two most important precursors in the carbon fiber industry are polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and mesophase pitch (MP), and their structure and composition significantly influence the properties of the resulting fibers, requiring different processing conditions for optimal performance. This review surveys research and development activities on carbon fibers conducted over the past few decades. It examines process‑optimization studies and explores alternative precursor materials aimed at reducing costs.

Abstract

This paper reviews the research and development activities conducted over the past few decades on carbon fibers. The two most important precursors in the carbon fiber industry are polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and mesophase pitch (MP). The structure and composition of the precursor affect the properties of the resultant carbon fibers significantly. Although the essential processes for carbon fiber production are similar, different precursors require different processing conditions in order to achieve improved performance. The research efforts on process optimization are discussed in this review. The review also attempts to cover the research on other precursor materials developed mainly for the purpose of cost reduction.