Carbon fibers competitors

In the previous symposium, we reviewed mesophase mechanisms involved in the formation of petroleum coke ( 2 ). Since 1975, two significant developments have been the use of hot-stage microscopy to observe the dynamic behavior of the carbonaceous mesophase in its fluid state (3-6), and the emergence of carbon fibers spun from mesophase pitch (7-9) as effective competitors in applications in which high elastic modulus or good graphiticity is important. This paper focuses on mesophase carbon fibers as an example of how the plastic mesophase can be manipulated to produce fibers with intense preferred orientations and elastic moduli that approach the theoretical limit for the graphite crystal in the a-direction. 

USA by Raytheon, following the success of its all composite turboprop, Starship. Called Premier 1, the business jet has an all RP fuselage with metal alloy wing. The carbon fiber/epoxy honeycomb fuselage is produced by computer-controlled automated machines, which are quicker than the hand lay-up used for the Starship. The cabin is reported to be 178 mm higher and 203 mm wider than competitors. The construction saves weight and is stronger than alnminnm. 

Natural fibers are regarded as an adaptable competitor for conventional fibers, for example, glass and carbon fibers. One impediment is the superior strength and stiffness exhibited by carbon and glass fibers. The recent research on natural... 

A carbon fiber bicycle wheel rim is fabricated by Sun Rims saving 400 g over an A1 rim and with 30% less carbon than that achieved by competitors using carbon fiber braid. A core of foam is rolled into a circle to fit the mold rim periphery and a braid sleeve drawn over the core with the ends overlapped. Extra pieces of carbon fiber prepreg are positioned at high stress points, the reinforcement is impregnated with epoxy resin and the lay-up is then compression molded. The pressures are sufficient for the overlap joint to be uniformly incorporated into the rim thickness. 

The main advantage of the mechanical properties of Kevlar PPTA over its main competitors the glass and carbon fibers is the superior specific strength, related to its low density. 

Thistable(and Table 19.2below) shows that the major competitor to CVD SiC is carbon as both fibers have similar properties and are in the same cost bracket. Another competitor is boron but it is expensive and may eventually be replaced by silicon carbide. 

Competing Inorganic Fibers. The competitors to carbide and nitride fibers are glass, ceramic oxides, carbon, and boron. Table 14.7 summarizes their processing, characteristics, and typical applications. ... 

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