High elongation, high strength pitch-type carbon fiber

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high elongation, high strength pitch-type carbon fiber which has an improved handleability. The carbon fiber of this invention has a crystalline structure arranged in such a manner that the angle (.phi.) is 24.degree.-38.degree.; the stack height (L.sub.c) is 19-35 .ANG.; and, the interlayer spacing (d.sub.002) of the X-ray structural parameter is 3.45-3.50 .ANG.. The atomic ratio of oxygen to carbon on the surface of the fiber measured by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry is 0.1-0.35. The total oxygen content in the fiber is 0.01-0.2 wt. %; and, the elongation is 1.0% or more. The high elongation, high strength pitch-type carbon fiber prepared in accordance with the present invention can be used, for example, as a reinforcing fiber for light-weight structural material employed in the aerospace, automotive and architectural industries.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.