Using counter-bore and capillary geometry to control mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber filament micro and macro structure
OwnerJohn A. Rodgers, Roger A. Ross +1inventors
InventorsJohn A. Rodgers, Roger A. Ross, Daniel F. Rossillon
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Abstract
A spinning die for spinning mesophase pitch into carbon fibers. The die includes a central cavity having a bottom and at least one side wall which intersects the bottom. At least one capillary for forming a fiber is in fluid communication with the cavity, the capillary having a first open end, a second open end, an axis and a diameter (d). A flow disruption shoulder is positioned at the juncture of the bottom of the central cavity and the first open end of the capillary to create turbulence at the capillary entrance.
Claims26
A spinning die for spinning mesophase pitch into carbon fibers comprising:
- a central cavity having a bottom and at least one side wall which intersects said bottom;
- at least one capillary for forming a fiber in fluid communication with said cavity, said capillary having a first open end, a second open end, an axis and a diameter (d);
- and
- a flow disruption shoulder positioned at the juncture of said bottom of said central cavity and said first open end of said capillary.
A blow spinning die for spinning mesophase pitch into carbon fibers comprising:
- a die body having at least one central cavity, said cavity having a bottom and at least one side wall which intersects said bottom;
- a die tip, said die tip containing at least one capillary for forming a fiber, said capillary being in fluid communication with said central cavity, said capillary having a first open end, a second open end, an axis and a diameter (d), said capillary exiting said die body at the terminus of said die tip;
- a flow disruption shoulder positioned at the juncture of said bottom of said central cavity and said first open end of said capillary;
- and
- means for directing at an attenuating gas stream at an acute angle to said diameter (d) to the region adjacent to said terminus of said die tip.
A process for spinning carbon fibers from mesophase pitch, said fibers having a round cross-section and a non-radial structure comprising:
- heating a spinnable pitch to a temperature sufficient to allow the pitch to flow;
- and
- passing the pitch into a spinning die, said die having a central cavity and at least one capillary in fluid communication therewith;
- and
- drawing said pitch past a flow disruption shoulder positioned at the juncture of said central cavity and said capillary;
- and
- drawing said pitch from said capillary by force of an attenuating gas to form a fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.