Carbon Fiber Research

By: Stephanie Osiecki, Amanda Buhr, Kimberly Schultz, & Brittany Haakenson

How does the new technology work?

• Epoxy resin reinforced carbon fiber fabric

• 2 or 3 layers

• Sealed with silk glass

• Orientation determines strength

• Weight-to-strength ratio, stiffness and resistance, and light

weight = reliable investment for high performance products

Components That Allow the New Technology to Operate• Graphene sheets (most common), fullerene

nanotubes, and buckeyballs• Medicine, nanotechnology, geoengineering,

biology, and electronics• Epoxy resin and carbon fiber fabric, aka

reinforced plastic (epoxy) by a graphite textile• Fibers’ interwoven direction = strength of

structure (strong point or equal strength)• 2-3 layers + silk glass sealing • Several tons of force to make most minimal

impact

What Are Components Made of?• Parts created by epoxy resin and carbon fiber

fabric molds• Nanotubes-cylindrical, small frames with high

surface area that unites to deposited carbon atoms

• Buckeyballs-same, but spherical cage structure• PAN-most common, extreme tensile strength• Mesophase Pitch-customized, higher stiffness,

more electrochemical with higher ionic intercalation, greater electrical and thermal conductivity, different friction assets

Scientific Concepts

•Nearly every company wants to improve

previous models

•Strong, light-weight material

•Better weight-to-strength ratio than steel

•Resistant to stretching under intense heat

Influences on Carbon Fiber Development

• 1950-Rayon used

• Replaced with PAN and pitch-currently used

• 1970s-used for initial commercialization and

aerospace

• Expanded to sporting goods, industrial,

automotive, wind energy and fuel cells, etc.

What is the new technological research?• U.S. Department of Energy received $34.7 million

from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to make vehicles energy efficient

• Price lowered to $5 per lb instead of $10-$20 per lb for clean energy technology

• Carbon nanotubes as energy alternative at MIT• Heat passes through, moving electrons with it,

generating current that scales with wave velocity• Allow ultra-small electronic devices with sensors

and treatments to be injected into body

The Researchers

•Thomas Edison

▫used carbonized cotton or bamboo

filaments for incandescence lamps

Current Research

•Union Carbide

•Japan Carbon Fiber Manufacturers

Impacts of Carbon Fibers

• Items used by Carbon Fiber: money clips, cars,

furniture, toilet seat covers…

• Expensive but Eco-Friendly

• Eliminates toxins

• Travel farther with less fuel

• Nothing else like it

Action Proposal

• Reasons For Success in the Market:

▫Safe

▫Light weight

▫Durable material

▫Environmentally friendly

Reduces fuel

Additional Factors

•Production process is carefully monitored:

▫Temperature

▫Gas flow

▫Chemical composition

Possible Negative Factor

•Very expensive

▫Current price= $10-20 per pound

▫Researchers have been working to lower

the price to less than $5 per pound

Carbon Fiber Car

References• (1870). Thomas edison in studio with his industrial “edison bulbs”

[Photo]. (2009, April 02). Retrieved May 6, 2010, from http://loftlifemag.com/mu/?p=1483

• 2000-up mitsubishi eclipse carbon fiber hood. (2007). Retrieved May 04, 2010, from http://www.hood-scoop.com/carbon-fiber-hood/index.htm

• 2010 Bimota db7r diavolo rosso Image [Photo]. (2009, November 26). Retrieved May 6, 2010, from http://top-motorcycle-wallpapers.blogspot.com/2009/11/2010-bimota-db7r-diavolo-rosso.html

• Anissimov, M. (2010, April 08). What is carbon fiber? Retrieved April 20, 2010, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-carbon-fiber.htm

• Anissimov, M. (2010, February 28). What is a buckeyball? Retrieved May 04, 2010, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-buckyball.htm

References• Aston martin one-77 [Photo]. (2009). Retrieved May 6, 2010, from

http://www.one-77.com/gallery.htm

• Carbon fiber 101 by opp-macmoto. (2010). Retrieved April 27, 2010, from http://www.oppracing.com/opp_pages.php?page=carbon_fiber_101

• Carbon fiber. (2010). Retrieved April 29, 2010, from http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Carbon-Fiber.html

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References• Funding carbon fiber research projects. (2010, February). Retrieved April

27, 2010, from http://specialtyfabricsreview.com/articles/0210_sw13_carbonfiber.html

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• Message (Japan carbon fiber manufacturers association). (2009, June 17). Received May 02, 2010, from http://www.carbonfiber.gr.jp/english/

• Oakley c six [Photo]. (2009). Retrieved May 6, 2010, from http://www.oakley.com/pd/6409

References• ORNL receives recovery act funding for carbon fiber technology center.

(2009, December 04). Retrieved April 20, 2010, from http://www.ornl.gov/info/press_releases/get_press_release.cfm?ReleaseNumber=mr20091204-00

• The university of tennessee space institute. (2010). Retrieved April 26, 2010, from http://www.utsi.edu/research/carbonfiber/CF.htm

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