Synthesis of Graphite Fibers and Filaments

Abstract

This chapter considers the methods by which the various types of fibers are produced. It is noted that ex-polymer fibers are produced by methods which lie in the area of applied polymer chemistry. Several reviews of their manufacture have been written. Therefore, only a brief description of their preparation is given here, enabling the reader to relate structural features to growth methods. The methods of growing CCVD filaments is considered in greater detail. The growth of the CCVD filaments in lengths of hundreds of millimeters has not been reviewed previously. It is emphasized that commercial carbon fibers are manufactured from polymers, and that one type (ex-PAN) dominates the commercial market, though low cost isotropic pitch fibers are also beginning to find wide application in high bulk, low performance applications. The present review of fiber growth would therefore seem to be out-of-balance with respect to current commercial utilization. However, the most interesting physical experiments have been carried out on the newer CCVD fibers, thereby providing the rationale for the balance we have chosen.