Carbon Fiber Bundle Strength Development Rate Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carbon fibers used in composite materials for aircraft and aerospace applications do not exhibit satisfactory strength development rates when integrated with matrix resins, despite improvements in mechanical properties, due to inconsistencies in physical properties between design expectations and actual measurements.

Innovation Solution

A carbon fiber with specific properties, including a filament diameter of 4.5 to 10 μm, strand tensile strength of 4,700 MPa or more, and X-ray crystallite size of 18 to 22 Å, which satisfies the formulae Lc/d ≤ 3 and TS × d × Lc > 6.0 × 10^5, is developed, along with a method involving acrylonitrile precursor fiber bundles and controlled carbonization treatments to enhance tensile strength and modulus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If carbon fiber mechanical properties are improved through conventional methods, then strand tensile strength increases, but strength development rate in composite materials remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrand tensile strengthVSAvoidstrength development rate
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameters of carbon fiber structure by controlling the ratio of X-ray crystallite size to filament diameter (Lc/d ≤ 3) and the product of strand tensile strength, filament diameter, and crystallite size (TS×d×Lc > 6.0×10^5). This structural parameter optimization enables both high strand tensile strength and excellent strength development rate in composite materials, resolving the contradiction between individual fiber strength and composite material performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If carbon fiber crystallite size is increased to improve strength, then mechanical properties improve, but the ratio of crystallite size to filament diameter becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical physical propertiesVSAvoidcrystallite size to filament diameter ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the crystallite size to filament diameter ratio (Lc/d) to be 3 or less while maintaining high strand tensile strength. This precise control of structural parameters ensures that the carbon fiber achieves excellent mechanical properties without excessive crystallite growth, enabling both high strength and good processability in composite material applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional carbon fiber production methods are used, then production cost is controlled, but physical properties do not meet design expectations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidphysical properties conformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention establishes specific parameter ranges for carbon fiber production: Lc/d ≤ 3 and TS×d×Lc > 6.0×10^5. These parameter specifications provide clear manufacturing targets that enable consistent production of carbon fiber meeting design requirements, bridging the gap between conventional manufacturing capabilities and advanced performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The carbon fiber achieves excellent strength development rates and mechanical properties in composite materials, leading to improved performance and reliability in aerospace applications.

Implementation Method 1

a method involving acrylonitrile precursor fiber bundles and controlled carbonization treatments to enhance tensile strength and modulus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

Lc is an X-ray crystallite size (Å)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray diffraction: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS11746445B2Carbon fiber bundle, prepreg, and fiber-reinforced composite material
Publication Date: 2023.09.05 TEIJIN LTD

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a carbon fiber which exhibits excellent strength development rate when used in a composite material. The present invention that solves the problems is a carbon fiber which simultaneously satisfies the following formulae (1) and (2):Lc/d≤3  (1)TS×d×Lc>6.0×105  (2)wherein:Lc is an X-ray crystallite size (Å),d is a filament diameter (μm), andTS is a strand tensile strength (MPa).