Carbon Fibers

This useful guide provides a practical approach to making carbon fibers and their composites. The book begins with a brief history of the development of carbon fiber, defining the terminology for all forms of solid carbon and the properties for elemental carbon and its allotropic forms. Various precursors for carbon fibers, corresponding surface treatments and sizes for various types of carbon fiber available on the world market are presented. The book gives an excellent overview of the chemical and physical properties of carbon fibers and their composites. Common test and analysis methods for verifying these properties are also presented. In several chapters, typical processing processes for carbon fibers with dry and also impregnated semi-finished products in application areas such as aerospace, wind industry and automotive up to the construction industry are presented. The advantages and disadvantages of various manufacturing processes are shown based on application examples. Considerations regarding carbon fiber recycling and sustainability (environmental footprint) as well as new developments in the field of carbon fiber production should support the reader in the selection and understanding of material, process and design in order to be able to implement them successfully.