High-performance carbon fiber is a carbon material with a carbon content of> 92%, and a fiber shape with excellent mechanical properties such as strength ≥3530MPa, modulus ≥230GPa, and elongation 0.7% ~ 2.2%.
I. Development history of high-performance carbon fiber technology
Natural fiber-based carbon fiber → rayon-based carbon fiber → polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber → mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber
About Carbon Fiber Research
No.1 Former United Carbide Corporation
In the late 1950s, the former United Carbide Corporation established the Palma Technology Center to conduct basic scientific research on carbon materials. The scientific discovery of high-performance carbon fiber and the invention of mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber technology were born here.
Roger Becken discovered graphite whiskers and their characteristics in 1959 and established the pursuit of high-performance carbon fiber technology.
Leonard Singh discovered in 1970 that liquid crystal or mesophase is the key to achieving high modelling properties of carbon fibers. He invented the mesophase or liquid crystal state pitch preparation technology and invented the high modulus pitch-based carbon fiber preparation technology.
No.2 Osaka Industrial Technology Laboratory
Akio Shinto of the Osaka Institute of Industrial Technology found that the thermal stability of polyacrylonitrile fibers was very good in 1959.
After heat treatment, nitrogen and hydrogen in the molecule are converted into ammonia and hydrocyanic acid. A high proportion of carbon is retained in the composition, and high-quality PAN-based carbon fibers with better strength, modulus, and heat resistance are obtained. Technical basis for industrial development.
No.3 Royal Aircraft Research Centre
William Watt, a former researcher at the Royal Aircraft Research Centre, produced the first truly high-performance PAN-based carbon fiber.
No.4 Toray Industries, Japan
1961: Began to focus on research and development of inorganic fiber resin reinforcements;
1970: PAN-based carbon fiber industrialization technology was successfully developed;
1971: 1 ton / month test line is completed, and Torayca brand products are sold;
1973: 5 tons / month production line was completed and put into operation;
1990: For the first time, prepregs were certified as raw materials for the main load-bearing structural components of the tail of Boeing 777 aircraft;
1992: Established a prepreg plant in the United States;
1997: Established a raw silk factory in the United States;
2011: Used in the manufacture of the main bearing structure of the Boeing 787 aircraft including the main wing.
Second, the main application of high-performance carbon fiber
1.Missiles, space platforms and launch vehicles
2. Aircraft
3.Advanced ships
4. Rail transit vehicles
5.Electric vehicles
6.New concept cargo truck
7.Wind power blades
8.Power cable
9.Fuel cells
10.Pressure vessels
11.Ultra high speed centrifuge rotor
12.Special tube
13.Public infrastructure
14. Medical equipment
15.Mechanical parts
16. Sports and leisure products
17.Musical instruments
18.Fashion products
1. Four areas where carbon fiber materials are irreplaceable
No.1 for wind power blades
Domestic 6MW wind turbine:
CFRP main beam blade: 77.7m long, CFRP main beam weighs 5t, blade weight is 28t; made entirely of GFRP, the blade weight is 36t; weight reduction: 8t.
American GE's Halliard X-type 12MW offshore wind turbine:
Height: 260m; Impeller diameter: 220m; Blade length: 107m; Impeller sweep area: 38,000m2. Capacity factor: 63%; annual power generation: 67GWh; for 16,000 European households.
No.2 for pressure vessels
Fiber-reinforced metal or plastic containers increase their pressure resistance and ensure safety to store more gaseous or liquid fuels for aerospace, ships and vehicles.
By designing and controlling the fiber content, tension, winding trajectory and other parameters, the fiber performance is fully utilized to make the difference in burst pressure of the fully wound fiber reinforced pressure vessel as small as possible.
High-pressure hydrogen storage cylinders for hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles can withstand pressures up to 70 MPa.
No.3 for maglev train
Working principle: the principle of repulsion of superconducting magnets is based on magnetic attraction and repulsion.
Working state: When running, the magnetic repulsion of the track will suspend the car body in the air, and it only needs to provide the power to overcome atmospheric resistance.
Maximum speed: up to 500Km / h.
No.4 ultra high speed centrifuge rotor
Stable rotation, acceleration and braking at ultra-high speed, and good environmental adaptability, can be precisely installed, long-life use, low-cost maintenance: rotors for high-speed centrifuges, and rollers for equipment such as filmmaking, papermaking and printing.
Excellent mechanical properties, light weight, low inertia, low deflection, and high natural frequency.
2. Three emerging fields of carbon fiber applications
Upper shell of No.1 destroyer
The Zumwalt class destroyer is the next generation of the US Navy's main battleship. It integrates the most advanced naval ship technology today. The superstructure of the ship uses an integrated modular composite structure, which is light in weight, high in strength, resistant to rust, It has good wave permeability and excellent stealth performance, and the probability of being found is less than 10%.
No.2 musical instrument
Carbon fiber composites have the characteristics of high specific modulus, high bending strength, good fatigue resistance, and little influence by environmental temperature and humidity.
When applied to musical instruments, not only does the sound sound good, the paint is not good, it is not sensitive to hot and humid environments, and compared with ordinary wooden musical instruments, the production efficiency is higher and the production cost can be reduced. The famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma has a cello made of carbon fiber.
No.3 Luxury Fashion
Carbon fiber is lighter than metal aluminum but has higher strength than steel. It has the inherent characteristics of carbon materials and the soft processability of textile fibers. It is also true to say that it is "flexible outside and rigid inside". It is also often used in bathroom products and luggage.
High-performance carbon fiber technology has been scientifically discovered for 60 years, industrial technology has been in existence for 50 years, and industrial capacity has been formed for 40 years. The competitiveness of traditional applications depends on learning and technology, and the competitiveness of cutting-edge applications depends on Imagination and innovation.
Excellent technology combined with the strength of innovation, high-performance carbon fiber technology has developed rapidly, and I believe it will be applied to a wider range of fields in the future.