General Performance Carbon Fibers

Pitch-Based General Performance Carbon Fiber (GPCF). As described in the introduction, continuous-strand GPCF has been produced commercially only by the Kureha Chemical Industries Company. Public attention has recently been attracted to this type of carbon fiber by the success in using carbon-fiber-reinforced concrete in the construction of the Arsasheed Monument in Iraq (24) by the Kashima Construction (Kashima Kensetsu) Co. Future construction projects in Japan plan to utilize further this type of fiber-reinforced concrete. Such applications may lead to mass consumption of fiber if its price can be brought below 9/kg ( 4/lb). The authors believe that some substantial reductions in the price of the general-performance fiber, perhaps to 6.5/kg ( 3/lb), may occur in the near future. 

In the case of general performance carbon fiber (GPCF),... 

Ashland Chemical Company, Ashland, Kentucky, USA—produced a range of Carboflex petroleum pitch based general performance carbon fibers in 1992 and sold the plant in 1993 to Anshan East Asia Carbon Fibers Inc., China. Ashland also sell prepared pitch as a precursor. 

In comparison with the USA, the aerospace and defense industries of Japan are quite small. This is the principal reason for the relatively slow commercialization of pitch-based high-performance carbon fiber (HPCF) in Japan. As incentive for the HPCF industry, other fields of applications must be sought. In general, the... 

Perhaps even more important than their structures, most of these polymers are frequently reinforced by glass fibers or even carbon fibers, which contribute tremendously to their properties, and must be considered in any comparison of their practical performance. Reinforcing fibers generally raise modulus 2-4 fold and usually increase breaking strength somewhat. In crystalline plastics, they often raise maximum use temperatures dramatically. 

Ceramic reinforcing fibers are utilized both in a continuous form (endless fibers) and in a discontinuous form (e.g. whiskers, short fibers). Most of the continuous fibers are utilized in the manufacture of composites with polymer matrices (PMC), where they are in competition with other high performance fibers (boron, carbon fibers), mainly for military or aerospace applications. Discontinuous fibers are generally used for the manufacture of metal matrix (MMC) and ceramic matrix (CMC) composites. 

MAJOR APPLICATIONS General-purpose molding and extrusion polymer for high-performance applications, especially as resin for carbon fiber composites. Examples include chemical resistant tubing and electrical insulation, automotive bearings, pump and valve construction for corrosive applications, and compressor valve plates. 

Poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) is a high performance thermoplastic generally used with fiber reinforcements such as glass, carbon, or Kevlar. Glass Transition Temperature, Tg = 143 C Melting Temperature, Tm = 334°C Molecular weight of repeat unit = 288.31 g/mole. 

Isotropic pitches are used to make a general purpose (GP) grade of pitch carbon fiber, which is not graphitic and has poorer properties than the high performance grade (HP), which requires a special treatment process to convert the pitch to a mesophase grade, i.e., an optically anisotropic and graphitic material. 

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