The use of carbon fibre is now widespread and it is in everything from tennis rackets to bicycle frames. It has become a big part of Formula 1 cars and many supercars as well. Several cruisers use carbon fibre extensively. However, as carbon fibre is not part of daily textile needs of consumers, many are unaware that this fibre has become an undeniable part of everyday lives. The truth is that it is everywhere to be found in the technological world.
carbonfibre2Carbon fibre is an exceptionally lightweight strengthening fibre derived from the element carbon. Sometimes known as graphite fibre, when this extremely strong material is combined with a polymer resin, a superior composite product is produced. Also called graphite fibre or carbon graphite, carbon fibre consists of very thin strands of the element carbon. Carbon fibres have high tensile strength and are very strong for their size. In fact, carbon fibre might be the strongest material there is. Speaking in technical terms, each fibre is 5-10 microns in diameter. One micron (um) is 0.000039 inches.
In Textile Terms and Definitions, carbon fibre has been described as a fibre containing at least 90 percent carbon obtained by the controlled pyrolysis of appropriate fibres. The term graphite fibre is used to describe fibres that have carbon in excess of 99 percent. Large varieties of fibres called precursors are used to produce carbon fibres of different morphologies and different specific characteristics. The most prevalent precursors are polyacrylonitrile (PAN), cellulosic fibres (viscose rayon, cotton), petroleum or coal tar pitch and certain phenolic fibres. Based on modulus, strength, and final heat treatment temperature, carbon fibres are classified into different categories.
As far as carbon fibre cloth is concerned, spools of carbon fibre are taken to a weaving loom, where the fibres are then woven into fabrics. The two most common types of weaves are plain weave and twill. Plain weave is a balanced checker board pattern, where each strand goes over then under each strand in the opposite direction. Whereas a twill weave looks like a wicker basket. Here, each strand goes over one opposing strand, then under two. Both twill and plain weaves have an equal amount of carbon fibre going each direction, and their strengths will be almost same. The two are aesthetically different.
Carbon fibre is primarily used for producing sporting goods, which account for nearly 11 million lb of that material. Currently, the United States of America consumes nearly 60 percent of the world production of carbon fibres, while the Japanese represent for almost 50 percent of the world capacity for production. The world production capacity of pitch-based carbon fibre is almost totally based in Japan. The key to further carbon fibre market expansion is continued development of high-rate manufacturing methods and considering this, it is predicted that demand of the fibre will increase by 235 percent by 2020.
carbon-fiber1In recent decades, carbon fibres have found wide application in commercial and civilian aircraft, recreational, industrial, and transportation markets. Carbon fibre is unique combination of strength, and light weight, these qualities make it fit to be used in the applications where strength, light weight and good shelf life are the basic requirements. They also can be used in the occasion where high temperature, chemical inertness and high damping are important.
The two main applications of carbon fibres are in specialized technology. It is used in the field of aerospace, nuclear, transportation and general engineering. Various components like bearings, gears, cams, fan blades and automobile bodies employ carbon fibre. With innovation in technology, some novel applications of carbon fibres have been found, such as rework of a bridge in building and construction industry. Others include: decoration in automotive, marine, general aviation interiors, general entertainment and musical instruments and after-market transportation products. Conductivity in electronics technology provides additional new application.
While there is minimal doubt that carbon fibre is extremely useful, the mindboggling question is why has carbon fibre become so popular? The credit of popularity goes to the amazing properties of the carbon fibre, which gives it an edge over similar materials. The physical strength, specific toughness and light weight of carbon fibre make it an apt raw-material in aerospace, road and marine transport, sporting goods. On the other hand, its high dimensional stability checks that the fabric doesnt shrink or extend; low coefficient of thermal expansion, which implies that the fabric has low tendency to expand when heated and to contract when cooled; less chances of the physical destruction of fibres, yarns, and fabrics, resulting from the rubbing of a textile surface over another surface, make it suitable component in missiles, aircraft brakes, aerospace antenna and support structure, large telescopes and optical benches.
Apart from strength and toughness, another property of carbon fibre is good vibration damping; this makes it useful in audio equipment, loudspeakers for hi-fi equipment, pickup arms and robot arms. It is also used in large generator retaining rings and radiological equipment following its innate electromagnetic properties.
Carbon fibre is also used in several electronic equipments because of its electrical conductivity and as a cover over the passenger compartment of various automobiles. At the medical work site, carbon fibre is widely used for X-ray inspection equipment. Furthermore, it is used for surgical outfits such as artificial legs and braces utilising its mechanical features. Features of carbon fibre, lightweight and easy to handle, increases its use for welfare equipment such as wheel chairs, care beds and portable slope.
Usage of chopped carbon fibres to make composite with other resins such as nylon or polycarbonate is growing too in order to get higher performances. Following its superior mechanical performances, carbon fibres when added to resins by 10 60 percent make it possible to reduce weight of plastic parts or to reduce their thickness. And the electric conductivity of Carbon fibres makes it possible to give such additional performance to plastic material as to preventing static load and to shielding from electromagnetic interferences. These performances of plastic compounds containing carbon fibres are contributing to dropping of weight of electronics equipment such as notebook, PCs and LCD projectors as well as of camera bodies and lenses.
Moreover, carbon fibres chemical inertness and high corrosion resistance is a blessing for chemical industry, nuclear field and pump components in process plants.
Because of its high tensile strength and lightweight, many consider carbon fibre to be the most significant manufacturing material of present generation.
Even when carbon fibre is expensive, its many advantages make it an irreplaceable choice over other mediocre options. Theres insistent knocking of this pioneering fibre in technological world, as the industries that employ maximum use of carbon fibre are on the path of resurrection. Carbon fibre may play an increasingly important role in the days to come.
Great informative article