Carbon (carbon fiber) – what is this material: characteristics, description and composition

Because of its special qualities, carbon fiber is a material that has quickly become popular in a variety of industries. Because of its extreme strength and lightweight design, it is the preferred option for applications where weight and strength are crucial considerations. Carbon fiber is now a vital component of many high-performance products, ranging from sporting goods to aerospace.

However, what is carbon fiber exactly, and why is it unique? This article examines this extraordinary material’s properties, composition, and applications. Gaining an understanding of its composition and characteristics will help you understand why carbon fiber is so highly sought after.

If you want to know more about how carbon fiber is

Description

One type of multilayer composite material is carbon. The fabrics’ foundation is carbon fiber that has been impregnated with thermosetting polymer resins.

This material exhibits incredible strength despite its low weight. Just so you know, carbon parts are more rigid and resistant to wear than aluminum ones of a similar kind.

Carbon fiber textiles have an obvious geometric pattern on their surface. The weave technique utilized to create the fabric determines the structure. The materials are very adaptable and simple to cut and tailor. They are printable, sandable, and paintable.

What is carbon made of – composition

The three primary raw materials used in the formation of carbon fabrics are polymeric, organic, and thermosetting resins.

One type of fabric made by various weaving techniques is carbon fiber. Textile carbon fibers are occasionally inserted into a polymer matrix, stitched, and then filled with binders.

The following techniques are used when weaving weaves: herringbone, matting, and others. Although these materials are stretchable, they respond poorly to bending and compression. The most well-known brand names for this kind of fabric are Satin, Twill, and Plain.

A polymer that has carbon fiber reinforcement is called carbon fiber reinforced polymer. The material’s characteristics are determined by the additives that are added to the matrix (silica, carbon nanotubes, rubber, etc.).

Because carbon fibers have a lower bending resistance than other materials, weaving carbon fibers is more complex. Manufacturers have created several methods that enable the acquisition of different kinds of bases.

Resins are injected into layers of material, and the layers are sealed by pressing or winding. There are four to five layers in 1 mm thick carbon fabric.

Carbon fiber is a material composed of bonded carbon atoms that is lightweight and extremely strong. Because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, it is frequently used in aerospace engineering and sports equipment. Because of its exceptional durability and resistance to heat and chemicals, carbon fiber is a versatile material that can be used in a wide range of industries despite its light weight.

Manufacturing process

Carbon fiber is made from a combination of heat-treated organic raw materials and polymers. After a 24-hour period at +250°C in the open, carbonization takes place.

The finest carbon threads, with a diameter ranging from 3 to 15 microns, are produced from the prepared raw materials. The threads are then carbonized, or heated to between 800 and 1500 degrees Celsius, in an autoclave. Pyrolysis takes place during this procedure. The raw materials lose inert components, and chemical bond structures alter.

The next step of the process, called graphitization, guarantees the strength of the fibers. At +1600–3000◦C, the fibers are saturated with carbon in an autoclave using an inert gas. The stronger and longer-lasting the threads, the higher the temperature indicator.

The fibers are either made continuous, winding onto bobbins, or cut (stapled), depending on the intended use and production technology. There are two techniques used in the manufacturing of fabrics: wet and dry. In both cases, the effect of high pressure at specific temperatures on carbon threads is considered.

Finished textiles are joined together using epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester resins. Then, using rubber, Kevlar, and other materials, reinforcement is applied as needed.

Technical characteristics

The properties of carbon materials are displayed in the table:

Characteristics Indicators
Type of raw material Chemical (carbon)
Components of organic origin polyacrylonitrile, phenolic, lignin, viscose fibers
Number of carbon threads in fiber, K 1 (1000 threads) – 50
Structure Multilayer
Tensile strength, MPa 2500–3500
Modulus of elasticity, GPa 200–600
Purpose Technical fabric
Tactile qualities Lightweight, tough, strong
Method of weaving Simple, satin, twill, complex and non-woven fabrics
Carbon fiber density, g./m3 1.7 – 1.9
Density, g./m2 200–470
Standard width of fabrics, cm. 100, 150
Water resistance High
Hygroscopicity, % 1–5
Moisture absorption rate Low
Air permeability Insignificant
Vapor permeability Average
Heat resistance Up to 2000◦С
Ability to accumulate static electricity Average
Elasticity High
Durability and wear resistance High
Dyeing methods Easy to dye and apply prints. Most often black fabrics with gray inclusions, gray, silver.
Manufacturer Japan, Taiwan, Russia, China
Types of material Plain, Twill, Satin
Standardization GOST R 58062 – 2018
Price High, from 760 ₽ per 1 meter

Pros and cons

The advantages of carbon fabrics include the following qualities:

The following are worth noting among the disadvantages:

Types

The most well-known materials used in the textile sector are:

  1. Plane Weave, P – durable and rigid fabric. Used for large products. Made using a simple 1×1 fiber weave.
  2. Twill, T – fabrics whose main purpose is the production of automotive parts. They use a 2×2 weave (through 2 threads).
  3. Satin WEAVE, R – flexible fabrics suitable for the production of complex shapes. Fabric of complex weave with low density.
  4. Leno, Basket Weave – basket weave. This material is used in the production of particularly strong and decorative products.

Application of carbon

Initially, carbon fabric was created as a material for the space sector. The quick spread of carbon fibers in various industries, including shipbuilding, automotive, aviation, construction, and medicine, was made possible by their high performance qualities.

Sports equipment, fishing gear, filters, accessories, electronics, decorative items, and specialty clothing are all made with carbon. Pipelines employ non-woven samples as insulating materials.

A health line is made with materials that are safe for health. Electrical textiles have a high melting point (450 degrees in air), which makes them useful for making electric sheets, heating pads, and "warm floor" systems insulation.

Products for medicine are made with CF. In order to produce carbon materials as a composite, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is utilized as an extremely strong structural raw material. When a therapeutic effect is required, viscose fiber can be used in place of or in addition to graphite.

Stable chains can form because of the fiber’s morphological structure. As air flows through the carbon strands, it fills them with negative particles, or ions. The following characteristics allow for the therapeutic effect to be achieved:

  • high sorption properties;
  • preservation of infrared radiation emanating from the source (human).

These characteristics allow injured tissues to regenerate twice as quickly as they would with medication. CF boosts immunity and reduces edema and inflammation. The materials used to make blankets, pillows, napkins, bundles, and bundles are carbon fabrics.

Knitted items are made from carbon threads on a viscose basis. Not all medical supplies are listed here; some examples include knee pads, masks, bed linen inserts, and shorts.

How much does carbon cost

Many people are curious about the price of carbon and the reasons behind the high cost of a material with a chemical origin. To put it in perspective, industrial steel weighs 20 times less per kilogram than carbon.

The unique characteristics of technology and the significant amount of manual labor involved in the production of fibers account for this ratio. The chemical industry is a dynamic one. Future carbon fabric prices will drop as automation becomes more prevalent.

Characteristic Description
Material Composition Made from thin strands of carbon atoms woven together.
Strength Extremely strong, yet lightweight, making it ideal for high-performance uses.
Flexibility Offers a good balance of stiffness and flexibility, adapting well

One material that really stands out is carbon fiber, which is renowned for both its remarkable strength and lightweight nature. It is a perfect fit for a variety of industries, including fashion and aerospace, because of its distinctive composition and structure.

The unique quality of carbon fiber is its capacity to offer strength and versatility by fusing flexibility and durability. Its balance enables creative applications that push the limits of functionality and design.

Carbon fiber is expected to play an increasingly important role in a variety of industries as long as we keep researching and developing new uses for it. Carbon fiber’s remarkable properties guarantee that it will continue to be a vital component of technology and design in the future.

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Anastasia Belova

I have been working in the textile industry for over 12 years. My main hobby is studying the properties of fabrics and their impact on our everyday life. I love to talk about new products and share practical tips on caring for different materials. My collection contains hundreds of fabric samples from all over the world, and I am ready to share my findings with you!

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