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CONTENT

NO CONTENT PAGE NO

I Title page i

II Certificates ii

III Acknowledgement iii

IV Abstract iv

V Contents 1

1. Introduction 2

2. Literature Review 3

2.1 History of carbon fiber 3

2.2 Structure of carbon fiber 3

2.3 Classification of carbon fiber 4

3. Properties 6

4 Manufacturing (Synthesis) 10

4.1 Raw Materials 10

4.2 Manufacturing Principle 10

4.3 Flow Diagram of Process 11

4.4 Manufacturing process 12

4.5 Manufacturing Challenges 14

5. Applications of Carbon Fiber 15

6. Advantages & Disadvantages 17

6.1 Advantages of Carbon Fiber 17

6.2 Disadvantages of Carbon Fiber 18

7 Future of Carbon Fiber 19

7.1 Forecasted Carbon Fiber Demand 19

7.2 Future Trends 19

8 Conclusion 21

VI References 22

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1. INTRODUCTION

Carbon fiber is, exactly what it sounds like – fiber made of carbon. But,

these fibers are only a base. What is commonly referred to as carbon fiber is a material

consisting of very thin filaments of carbon atoms. When bound together with plastic polymer

resin by heat, pressure or in a vacuum a composite material is formed that is both strong and

lightweight.

Steel and other hard construction materials have revolutionized the field of

industry. Now, a stage has come that there is a need of a better material to catch up with the

growing needs and demands of the modern society. This need has bought up a newer material

to the field which is now known as Carbon Fibres. Carbon fibre is one of the latest

reinforcement materials used in composites. It's a real hi-tech material, which provides very

good structural properties, better than those of any metal. Carbon fibre has a tensile strength

almost 3 times greater than that of steel, yet is 4.5 times less dense. Carbon fibers are carbon

fibres with values of Young’s modulus between 150 and 275 to 300 GPa

Carbon fiber material has a wide range of applications, as it can be formed at various densities

in limitless shapes and sizes. Carbon fiber is often shaped into tubing, fabric, and cloth, and

can be custom-formed into any number of composite parts and pieces.

Carbon fiber is an incredibly useful material used in composites, and it will continue to grow

manufacturing market share. As more methods of producing carbon fiber composites

economically are developed, the price will continue to fall, and more industries will take

advantage of this unique material.

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2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 History of carbon fiber

First developed in 1958 in Cleveland, OH, by heating rayon strands , the result was

of relatively poor quality and strength. Then, a few years later, the Japanese developed a

chemical process for manufacturing it, which is still in use today. The quality, purity, and

strength of the Japanese carbon fibers were much improved over the rayon-based version.

In 1963, at Rolls Royce in England, industrial scale production and high quality and

strength standards were finally achieved with a new process. At this point, carbon fiber became

commercially viable for a few special applications. However, the implications of its brittle

nature were not fully appreciated, and led to aero engine failures.

Today, methods of carbon fiber manufacture vary in detail from company to company,

but are all based on one of three chemical sources - rayon, PAN (the Japanese approach), or

pitch (a product of petroleum refining). The production processes use a lot of energy for the

high temperatures required, leading to the relatively high (but still falling) cost of carbon fiber

2.2 Structure of carbon fiber

The atomic structure of a carbon fiber is similar to that of graphite, consisting of

carbon atom layers (graphene sheets) arranged in a regular hexagonal pattern, as shown in

Figure 1. Depending upon the precursors and manufacturing processes, layer planes in carbon

fibers may be either turbostratic, graphitic, or a hybrid structure. In graphitic crystalline

regions, the layer planes are stacked parallel to one another in a regular fashion. The atoms in

a plane are covalently bonded through sp2 bonding while the interaction between the sheets is

relatively weak Van der Waals forces. In a single graphitic crystal, d-spacing between two

graphene layers (d002) is about 0.335 nm. Elastic constants of these single crystals have been

calculated . C11 and C33 are 1,060 GPa and 36.5 GPa, respectively, but C44 for shearing is as

low as 4.5 GPa. However, the basic structural unit of many carbon fibers consists of a stack of

turbostratic layers. In a turbostratic structure, the parallel graphene sheets are stacked

irregularly or haphazardly folded, tilted, or split. It has been reported that the irregular stacking

and the presence of sp3 bonding can increase d-spacing to 0.344 nm . Johnson and Watt

investigated the crystallite structure of a PAN carbon fiber treated to 2,500 °C and reported

that the turbostratic crystallites had Lc (crystallite height) of at least 12 layer planes and La

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(crystallite width) of 6–12 nm. Both Lc and La tend to increase with the heat treatment

temperature

. Figure 1. A 6 μm diameter carbon filament (running from bottom left to top right)

compared to a human hair

2.3 Classification of carbon fiber

1. Based on carbon fiber properties, carbon fibers can be grouped into:

Ultra-high-modulus, type UHM (modulus >450Gpa)

High-modulus, type HM (modulus between 350-450Gpa)

Intermediate-modulus, type IM (modulus between 200-350Gpa)

Low modulus and high-tensile, type HT (modulus < 100Gpa, tensile strength > 3.0Gpa)

Super high-tensile, type SHT (tensile strength > 4.5Gpa)

2. Based on precursor fiber materials, carbon fibers are classified into:

PAN-based carbon fibers

Pitch-based carbon fibers

Mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers

Isotropic pitch-based carbon fibers

Rayon-based carbon fibers

Gas-phase-grown carbon fibers

3. Based on final heat treatment temperature, carbon fibers are classified into:

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High-heat-treatment carbon fibers (HTT), where final heat treatment temperature

should be above 2000°C and can be associated with high-modulus type fiber.

Intermediate-heat-treatment carbon fibers (IHT), where final heat treatment

temperature should be around or above 1500°C and can be associated with high-

strength type fiber.

Low-heat-treatment carbon fibers, where final heat treatment temperatures not greater

than 1000°C. These are low modulus and low strength materials.

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3. PROPERTIES

1-Carbon Fiber has High Strength to Weight Ratio (also known as specific

strength)

Strength of a material is the force per unit area at failure, divided by its density. Any

material that is strong AND light has a favourable Strength/weight ratio. Materials such as

Aluminium, titanium, magnesium, Carbon and glass fiber, high strength steel alloys all have

good strength to weight ratios.

The following table 3.1 are offered for comparison only and will vary depending on

composition, alloy, type of spider, density of wood etc. The units are kN.m/kg.

Carbon Fibre 2457

Glass Fibre 1307

Spider Silk 1069

Carbon Epoxy Composite 785

Balsa axial load 521

Steel alloy 254

Aluminium alloy 222

polypropylene 89

Nylon 69

Table 3.1

2- Carbon Fiber is very Rigid

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic is over 4 times stiffer than Glass reinforced plastic,

almost 20 times more than pine, 2.5 times greater than aluminium.

3- Carbon fiber is Corrosion Resistant and Chemically Stable.

Although carbon fiber themselves do not deteriorate measurably, Epoxy is sensitive to

sunlight and needs to be protected. Other matrices (whatever the carbon fiber is imbedded in)

might also be reactive.

Composites made from carbon fibre must either be made with UV resistant epoxy

(uncommon), or covered with a UV resistant finish such as varnishes.

4- Carbon fiber is Electrically Conductive

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This feature can either be useful or be a nuisance. In Boat building conductivity has to

be taken into account just as Aluminium conductivity comes into play. Carbon fiber

conductivity can facilitate Galvanic Corrosion in fittings. Careful installation can reduce this

problem.

Carbon Fiber dust can accumulate in a shop and cause sparks or short circuits in

electrical appliances and equipment.

5- Fatigue Resistance is good

Resistance to Fatigue in Carbon Fiber Composites is good. However when carbon fiber

fails it usually fails catastrophically without significant exterior signs to announce its imminent

failure.

Damage in tensile fatigue is seen as reduction in stiffness with larger numbers of stress cycles,

(unless the temperature is high). Carbon fiber is superior to E glass in fatigue and static strength

as well as stiffness.

6- Carbon Fiber has good Tensile Strength

Units are MPa This table 3.2 is offered as a comparison only since there are a great

number of variables.

Table 3.2

7- Fire Resistance/Non Flammable

Depending upon the manufacturing process and the precursor material, carbon fiber can

be be made to feel quite soft to the hand and can be made into or more often integrated into

protective clothing for firefighting. Nickel coated fiber is an example. Because carbon fiber is

Carbon steel 1090 3600

High density polyethylene (HDPE) 37

High density polyethylene 37

Stainless steel AISI 302 860

Aluminium alloy 2014-T6 483

E-Glass alone 3450

Carbon fiber alone 4127

Carbon fiber in a laminate 1600

Kevlar 2757

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also chemically very inert, it can be used where there is fire combined with corrosive agents.

Carbon Fiber Blanket used as welding protection.

8- Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Fiber

This table 3.3 is offered as a comparison. Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Fiber with

other

The units are W/(m.K)

Air .024

Aluminium 250

Concrete .4 - .7

Carbon Steel 54

Quartz 3

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy 24

Table 3.3

Special types of Carbon Fiber have been specifically designed for high or low thermal

conductivity. There are also efforts to Enhance this feature.

9- Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

This is a measure of how much a material expands and contracts when the temperature

goes up or down.

Units are in Inch / inch degree F, as in tables 3.4

Steel 7

Aluminium 13

Kevlar 3 or lower

Carbon Fiber woven 2 or less

Carbon fiber unidirectional minus 1 to +8

Fiberglass 7-8

Brass 11

Table 3.4

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Low Coefficient of Thermal expansion makes carbon fiber suitable for applications where

small movements can be critical. Telescope and other optical machinery is one such

application.

10- Non Poisonous, Biologically Inert, X-Ray Permeable

These quality make Carbon fiber useful in Medical applications. Prosthesis use,

implants and tendon repair, x-ray accessories surgical instruments, are all in development.

Although not poisonous, the carbon fibers can be quite irritating and long term

unprotected exposure needs to be limited. The matrix either epoxy or polyester, can however

be toxic and proper care needs to be exercised.

11- Carbon Fiber is Relatively Expensive

Although it offers exceptional advantages of Strength, Rigidity and Weight reduction,

cost is a deterrent. Unless the weight advantage is exceptionally important, such as in

aeronautics applications or racing, it often is not worth the extra cost. The low maintenance

requirement of carbon fiber is a further advantage.

It is difficult to quantify cool and fashionable. Carbon fiber has an aura and reputation

which makes consumers willing to pay more for the cachet of having it. You might need less

of it compared to fiberglass and this might be a saving.

12- Carbon Fibers are brittle

The layers in the fibers are formed by strong covalent bonds. The sheet-like

aggregations readily allow the propagation of cracks. When the fibers bend they fails at very

low strain.

13- Carbon Fiber is not yet geared to Amateur techniques.

In order to maximize Carbon Fiber Characteristics, a relatively high level of technical

excellence must be achieved. Imperfections and air bubbles can significantly affect

performance. Typically, autoclaves, or vacuum equipment is required. Moulds and mandrels

are major expenses as well.

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4. MANUFACTURING (SYNTHESIS)

4.1 Raw Materials:

Carbon fiber is made from organic polymers, which consist of long strings of

molecules held together by carbon atoms. Most carbon fibers (about 90 percent) are made

from the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) process. A small amount (about 10 percent) are manufactured

from rayon or the petroleum pitch process. Gases, liquids, and other materials used in the

manufacturing process create specific effects, qualities, and grades of carbon fiber. The highest

grade carbon fiber with the best modulus properties are used in demanding applications such

as aerospace.

4.2 Manufacturing Principle:

The manufacturing process for producing carbon fibers involved highly controlled steps

of heat treatment and tension to form the appropriately ordered carbon structure. Rayon,

Pitchhas been largely supplanted as a precursor by Polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Polyacrylonitrile

precursors produce much more economical fibers because the carbon yield is higher and

because PAN-based fibers do not intrinsically require a final high-temperature “graphitization”

step. Polyacrylonitrile-based fibers having intermediate- modulus values of about 240 to 310

GPa (35 to 45 _ 106 psi), combined with strengths ranging from 3515 to 6380 MPa (510 to 925

ksi), are now commercially available. Because carbon fibers display linear stress-strain

behavior to failure, the increase in strength also means an increase in the elongation-to-failure.

The commercial fibers thus display elongations of up to 2.2%, which means that they exceed

the strain capabilities of conventional organic matrices. The diameter of carbon fibers typically

ranges from 8 to 10 lm (0.3 to 0.4 mils).

The process for making carbon fibers is part chemical and part mechanical Plastics are

drown into long strands or fibers and then heated to a very high temperature without allowing

it to come in contact with oxygen. Without oxygen, the fiber cannot burn. Instead, the high

temperature causes the atoms in the fiber to vibrate violently until most of the non-carbon atoms

are expelled. This process is called carbonization and leaves a fiber composed of long, tightly.

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4.3 Flow Diagram of Process:

Figure.4.1: Flow Diagram of Process

Acrylonitril

Solvent

Comonomer

Polymerization

Solution Spinning

Spinning

Rinsing

Post-Treatment

Precursor

Precursor

Oxidization(250-350⁰C in the

air)

Carbonization(1000-1500⁰C in

inert carbon gas)

Surface

treatment

Sizing

treatment

Graphitizati-

on

Surface

treatment

Sizing treatment

Carbon Fiber Graphite Fiber

Cat

alys

t

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4.4 Manufacturing process :

Pyrolysis is the processes of inducing chemical changes by heat-for a instance, by

burning a length of yarn & causing the material to carbonize & become black in color. The

temperature of carbonizing range up to about 1500°C; for graphitizing to 3000°C, Here is a

typical sequence of operations used to form carbon fibers from polyacrylonitrile(PAN).

Spinning:-

1. Acrylonitrile plastic powder is mixed with another plastic, like methyl acrylate or

methyl methacrylate, and is reacted with a catalyst in a conventional suspension or solution

polymerization process to form a polyacrylonitrile plastic.

2. The plastic is then spun into fibers using one of several different methods. In some

methods, the plastic is mixed with certain chemicals and pumped through tiny jets into a

chemical bath or quench chamber where the plastic coagulates and solidifies into fibers. This

is similar to the process used to form polycyclic textile fibers. In other methods, the plastic

mixture is heated and pumped through tiny jets into a chamber where the solvents evaporate,

leaving a solid fiber. The spinning step is important because the internal atomic structure of the

fiber is formed during this process.

3. The fibers are then washed and stretched to the desired fiber diameter. The stretching

helps align the molecules within the fiber and provide the basis for the formation of the tightly

bonded carbon crystals after carbonization.

Stabilizing:-

4. Before the fibers are carbonized, they need to be chemically altered to convert their

linear atomic bonding to a more thermally stable ladder bonding. This is accomplished by

heating the fibers in air to about 390-590° F (200-300° C) for 30-120 minutes. This causes the

fibers to pick up oxygen molecules from the air and rearrange their atomic bonding pattern.

The stabilizing chemical reactions are complex and involve several steps, some of which occur

simultaneously. They also generate their own heat, which must be controlled to avoid

overheating the fibers. Commercially, the stabilization process uses a variety of equipment and

techniques. In some processes, the fibers are drawn through a series of heated chambers. In

others, the fibers pass over hot rollers and through beds of loose materials held in suspension

by a flow of hot air. Some processes use heated air mixed with certain gases that chemically

accelerate the stabilization.

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Carbonizing:-

5. Once the fibers are stabilized, they are heated to a temperature of about 1,830-5,500°

F (1,000-3,000° C) for several minutes in a furnace filled with a gas mixture that does not

contain oxygen. The lack of oxygen prevents the fibers from burning in the very high

temperatures. The gas pressure inside the furnace is kept higher than the outside air pressure

and the points where the fibers enter and exit the furnace are sealed to keep oxygen from

entering. As the fibers are heated, they begin to lose their non-carbon atoms, plus a few carbon

atoms, in the form of various gases including water vapor, ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon

dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, and others. As the non-carbon atoms are expelled, the remaining

carbon atoms form tightly bonded carbon crystals that are aligned more or less parallel to the

long axis of the fiber. In some processes, two furnaces operating at two different temperatures

are used to better control the rate de heating during carbonization.

Treating the surface:-

6. After carbonizing, the fibers have a surface that does not bond well with the epoxies

and other materials used in composite materials. To give the fibers better bonding properties,

their surface is slightly oxidized. The addition of oxygen atoms to the surface provides better

chemical bonding properties and also etches and roughens the surface for better mechanical

bonding properties. Oxidation can be achieved by immersing the fibers in various gases such

as air, carbon dioxide, or ozone; or in various liquids such as sodium hypochlorite or nitric

acid. The fibers can also be coated electrolytically by making the fibers the positive terminal

in a bath filled with various electrically conductive materials. The surface treatment process

must be carefully controlled to avoid forming tiny surface defects, such as pits, which could

cause fiber failure.

Sizing:-

7. After the surface treatment, the fibers are coated to protect them from damage during

winding or weaving. This process is called sizing. Coating materials are chosen to be

compatible with the adhesive used to form composite materials. Typical coating materials

include epoxy, polyester, nylon, urethane, and others.

8. The coated fibers are wound onto cylinders called bobbins. The bobbins are loaded

into a spinning machine and the fibers are twisted into yarns of various sizes.

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4.5 Manufacturing Challenges

The manufacture of carbon fibers carries a number of challenges, including:

The need for more cost effective recovery and repair.

The surface treatment process must be carefully regulated to avoid creating pits that

could result in defective fibers.

Close control required to ensure consistent quality.

Health and safety issues

Skin irritation

Breathing irritation

Arcing and shorts in electrical equipment because of the strong electro-conductivity of

carbon fibers.

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5. APPLICATION OF CARBON FIBER

1. Carbon Fiber In Flight

Carbon fiber has gone to the moon on spacecraft, but it is also used widely in aircraft

components and structures, where its superior strength to weight ratio far exceeds that of any

metal. 30% of all carbon fiber is used in the aerospace industry. From helicopters to gliders,

fighter jets to microlights, carbon fiber is playing its part, increasing range and simplifying

maintenance.

2. Sporting Goods

Its application in sports goods ranges from the stiffening of running shoes to ice

hockey stick, tennis racquets and golf clubs. ‘Shells’ (hulls for rowing) are built from it, and

many lives have been saved on motor racing circuits by its strength and damage tolerance in

body structures. It is used in crash helmets too, for rock climbers, horse riders and motor

cyclists – in fact in any sport where there is a danger of head injury.

3. Military

The applications in the military are very wide ranging – from planes and missiles to

protective helmets, providing strengthening and weight reduction across all military

equipment. It takes energy to move weight – whether it is a soldier’s personal gear or a field

hospital, and weight saved means more weight moved per gallon of gas.

A new military application is announced almost every day. Perhaps the latest and most exotic

military application is for small flapping wings on miniaturised flying drones, used for

surveillance missions. Of course, we don’t know about all military applications – some carbon

fiber uses will always remain part of ‘black ops’ - in more ways than one.

4. Carbon Fiber at Home

The uses of carbon fiber in the home are as broad as your imagination, whether it is

style or practical application. For those who are style-conscious, it is often tagged as ‘the new

black’. If you want a shiny black bathtub built from carbon fiber, or a coffee table then you can

have just that, off the shelf. iPhone cases, pens and even bow ties – the look of carbon fiber is

unique and sexy.

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5. Medical Applications

Carbon fiber offers several advantages over other materials in the medical field,

including the fact that it is ‘radiolucent’ – transparent to X-rays and shows as black on X-ray

images. It is used widely in imaging equipment structures to support limbs being X-rayed or

treated with radiation.

The use of carbon fiber to strengthen of damaged cruciate ligaments in the knee is

being researched, but probably the most well known medical use is that of prosthetics –

artificial limbs. South African athlete Oscar Pistorius brought carbon fiber limbs to prominence

when the International Association of Athletics Federations failed to ban him from competing

in the Beijing Olympics. His controversial carbon fiber right leg was said to give him an unfair

advantage, and there is still considerable debate about this.

6. Automobile Industry

As costs come down, carbon fiber is being more widely adopted in automobiles.

Supercar bodies are built now, but its wider use is likely to be in internal components such as

instrument housings and seat frames.

7. Environmental Applications

As a chemical purifier, carbon is a powerful absorbent. When it comes to absorption

of noxious or unpleasant chemicals, then surface area is important. For a given weight of

carbon, thin filaments have far more surface area than granules. Although we see activated

carbon granules used as pet litter and for water purification, the potential for wider

environmental use is clear.

8. Diy

Despite its hi-tech image, easy to use kits are available enabling carbon fiber to be

employed in a wide range of home and hobby projects where not only its strength, but its visual

appeal is a benefit. Whether in cloth, solid sheet, tube or thread, the space age material is now

widely available for everyday projects

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6. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

6.1 Advantages of Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber composites are extremely versatile. Vermont Composite’s engineering team has

the tools and experience to develop the optimal properties required for almost any application.

The properties of a carbon fiber composite structure depend on the selection of the components

and how they are arranged. The two principal elements of a carbon composite structure are the

matrix and the fibers.

Fiber can be individual strands or multiple strands braided. The selection of the fiber, its

orientation and its layering play a dominant role in determining the characteristics of the

finished structure.

The matrix serves to keep the fiber in the desired position. In addition, the matrix imparts

important properties to the composite structure.

Certain ingredients may be added to the matrix during production that will provide additional

desired properties.

The Vermont Composites engineering team has many years of experience in fiber, matrix, and

ingredient selection to meet the performance requirements of the finished structure.

The following points highlight the principal advantages and characteristics of carbon fiber

composites.

Strength / Light Weight: For the same strength, carbon composites are 80% lighter than

steel and 60% lighter than aluminum.

Stiffness: Carbon composites exhibit higher stiffness to weight ratios than conventional

materials. Fatigue: Carbon Composites resist degradation in high fatigue applications

much better than conventional materials.

Corrosion Resistance: Carbon composites are essentially inert even in corrosive

environments.

Energy Dampening Carbon Composites can be constructed around foam cores that will

enable tremendous vibration dampening characteristics

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Thermal Expansion: This property can be tailored to match surrounding structures

thereby minimizing thermal stress.

Energy Transmission: Carbon composites can be made to absorb or transmit acoustical,

electromagnetic, and other types of energy.

Radar: Carbon composites can be made absorbing to radar.

Radiolucent: Carbon fiber composites allow superior radiation transmission and

provide for superb imaging quality.

Production Flexibility: Carbon composites can be easily formed into complex shapes.

Durability: Properly designed and fabricated, carbon composites exhibit very long life

characteristics even in harsh operating environments.

6.2 Disadvantages of Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber will break or shatter when it’s compressed, pushed beyond its strength

capabilities or exposed to high impact. It will crack if hit by a hammer. Machining and

holes can also create weak areas that may increase its likelihood of breaking.

Relative cost – carbon fiber is a high quality material with a price to match. While prices

have dropped significantly in the past five years, demand has not increased enough to

increase the supply substantially. As a result, prices will likely remain the same for the

near future

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7. FUTURE OF CARBON FIBER

7.1 Forecasted Carbon Fiber Demand

Graph :5.1

7.2 Future Trends

Because of its high tensile strength and lightweight, many consider carbon fiber to be the most

significant manufacturing material of our generation. Carbon fiber may play an increasingly

important role in areas such as:

Energy. Windmill blades, natural gas storage and transportation, fuel cells.

Automobiles. Currently used just for high performance vehicles, carbon fiber

technology is moving into wider use. In December 2011 General Motors announced

that it is working on carbon fiber composites for mass production of automobiles.

Construction. Lightweight pre-cast concrete, earthquake protection.

2005 2011 2015 2020

Sport/Consumer 9 9 11 5

Aerospace 4.8 7 13 20

Industrial 11 30 68 121

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Car

bo

n F

iber

(M

T x

1,0

00

)

Forecasted Carbon Fiber Demand

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Aircraft: Defense and commercial aircraft. Unmanned aerial vehicles.

Oil exploration. Deep water drilling platforms, drill pipes.

Carbon nanotubes. Semiconductor materials, spacecraft, chemical sensors, and other

uses.

In 2005, carbon fiber had a $90 million market size. Projections have the market expanding to

$2 billion by 2015. To accomplish this, costs must be reduced and new applications targeted.

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8. CONCLUSION

There are many fibres which embedded in PMCs & to increase the strength

& desired properties of material. Out of which carbon & boron fibres are mostly used but

economical point of view carbon has low cost as compared to boron. Polymer matrix are used

in large quantities, in light of there room temperature properties, ease of fabrication & cost.

Carbon fibres are produced by many processes by using Reyon, Pitch or PAN as a precursor.

Pyrolysis of PAN produces fibres of high strength & stiffness. As CFRP is light in weight they

are used in aerospace & space application

Carbon Fibre is now an engineering material that must be designed, engineered and

manufactured to the same standards of precision and quality control as any other engineering

material. Carbon fibre thus has revolutionized the field of light weight materials. This can be

used as a substitute for steel without the most of latterâ„¢s difficulties like high weight, lack of

corrosion resistance etc. This is thus one of the future manufacturing materials

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REFERENCES:

1. “Carbon Fiber Composites” ; Deborah D. L. Chung; Butterworth-Heinemann;1994

2. “How To Fabricate Automotive Fiberglass & Carbon Fiber Parts”; Dan Burrill and

Jeffrey Zurschmeide

3. “Automotive Carbon Fiber Composites” ; Jackie D. Rehkopf ; SAE International

4. “Carbon Fibers and Their Composites” ; Peter Morgan ; CRC Press