Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Karen W. on 23/07/2007 01:49:21

Title: WHAT IS CARBON FIBER ?
Post by: Karen W. on 23/07/2007 01:49:21

What is it? Why is it so expensive? and when will it become more affordable?

Title: WHAT IS CARBON FIBER ?
Post by: eric l on 23/07/2007 08:30:51

The first use of carbon fibre that I know of was by T.A. Edison in his incandescent lamps.  His carbon fibre was charred cotton fibre. 
Currently carbon fibre is produced mainly by pyrolysis (pretty much the same thing as charring) of polyacrylate or polyacrylnitrile fibre (frequently used in textiles).  Some carbon fibre is also produced starting from other synthetic fibres, but much of that is still in the experimental phase.
The temperatures needed for this pyrolysis are in the order of 3000°C, and this requires an atmosphere free of oxygen.  This makes the process rather delicate.
As long as demand increases faster than production, there is little chance of the product becoming cheaper.  If you're thinking of starting your own business, the process is too delicate to start it as a cotage industry.

Title: WHAT IS CARBON FIBER ?
Post by: Karen W. on 23/07/2007 12:42:26

Thanks Eric I posed the question for a friend. I am not sure why he wants to know! I will tell him about your reply and any others!

Title: WHAT IS CARBON FIBER ?
Post by: another_someone on 23/07/2007 14:23:53

Again, what you have to bear in mind is that what most people talk about when they refer to carbon fibre is not merely the fibre itself, but the carbon fibre composite (i.e. a matrix of carbon fibres embedded in plastic - just as what most people refer to when talking about glass fibre is usually glass fibre composite, also known as GRP or glass re-enforced plastic).