Precursor Structure - Fiber Property Relationships in Polyacrylonitrile- Based Carbon Fibers

This report describes fundamental studies pertaining to two critical aspects in the production of PAN-based carbon fibers, viz., the formation of a stabilized precursor fiber and the evolution of structure and properties in carbonization. Important new results pertaining to accelerated stabilization and the interactive evolution of structure and mechanical properties in axial tension as well as compression, during carbonization have been obtained. Based on the work reported here and our earlier studies, inferences have been drawn regarding direction for future research, focused specifically on improving axial compressive performance and reducing the cost of carbon fibers.