Carbon Fiber Tow Width Control via Soft Binder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon fiber tows tend to neck down and change from a rectangular to an oval shape during handling, leading to poor fiber coverage and mechanical properties in composite materials, especially in the fabrication of carbon/carbon friction disks, where maintaining a rectangular cross-sectional shape is crucial for high-temperature applications.
Innovation Solution
A soft binder, such as a quick solidifying thermoplastic hot melt adhesive, is applied to the carbon fiber tow to maintain its width and shape, allowing it to be processed through a textile loom without resin stabilization, enabling further dry processes like needle punching while maintaining the desired rectangular cross-sectional shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If carbon fiber tow is handled during textile processing, then the tow can be processed through the loom, but the tow necks down and changes from rectangular to oval shape
Solution Approach 1:
A binding agent is applied to the carbon fiber tow before processing through the loom to prevent necking down and maintain the rectangular cross-sectional shape during subsequent handling and processing operations
2Shape
If the carbon fiber tow is stabilized with resin, then the shape is maintained, but further dry processes like needle punching cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
A binding agent is used instead of resin stabilization, changing the material parameter to enable both shape maintenance and compatibility with subsequent dry processes such as needle punching
3Ease of operation
If the carbon fiber tow is left untreated, then the tow remains flexible for processing, but the rectangular cross-sectional shape is not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
A binding agent is applied in advance to the carbon fiber tow to maintain the rectangular cross-sectional shape while allowing the tow to remain flexible enough for processing through the loom and subsequent dry processes
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 method effectively maintains the rectangular cross-sectional shape of carbon fiber tows, enhancing mechanical properties and fiber coverage in composite materials, particularly in the production of carbon/carbon friction disks, by preventing necking down and allowing for homogeneous fiber distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A soft binder, such as a quick solidifying thermoplastic hot melt adhesive, is applied to the carbon fiber tow to maintain its width and shape
Data Source
AI summary
A technique allowing a portion of carbon fiber tow to maintain a rectangular cross sectional shape or to maintain an imparted desired shape, such as a wider shape with a rectangular cross-sectional profile, through a textile loom is disclosed herein.