Danny D Edie

US Patent:

51495171, Sep 22, 1992

Filed:

Jan 21, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/820734

Inventors:

Charles C. Fain - Clemson SC
Danny D. Edie - Clemson SC

Assignee:

Clemson University - Clemson SC

International Classification:

D01F 912

US Classification:

4234472

Abstract:

Hollow carbon fibers and carbon fibers having a generally C-shaped transverse cross-sectional area are produced by extruding a carbonaceous anisotropic liquid precursor through a spinneret having a capillary with a generally C-shaped cross-sectional area, into a fiber filament, controlling the viscosity of the molten precursor, the pressure of the molten precursor and the linear take-up speed of the filament to yield a fiber filament having a cross-sectional area shaped substantially like the shape of the cross-sectional area of the capillary and further having a line-origin microstructure, rendering the filament infusible, heating the filament in an inert pre-carbonizing environment at a temperature in the range of 600. degree. C. to 1000. degree. C. for 1 to 5 minutes, and heating the filament in an inert carbonizing environment at a temperature in the range of 1550. degree. C. to 1600. degree. C. for 5 to 10 minutes, to substantially increase the tensile strength of the filament.

US Patent:

53344146, Aug 2, 1994

Filed:

Jan 22, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/008787

Inventors:

Danny D. Edie - Clemson SC
James W. Klett - Seneca SC

Assignee:

Clemson University - Clemson SC

International Classification:

B05D 302

US Classification:

427189

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a process for coating carbon fibers with a pitch material. The process employs a pressurized air-comb for spreading a carbon fiber tow into individual carbon fiber filaments and providing the carbon fiber filaments in a spreaded tow to a powder deposition chamber. A pitch material is dried and finely ground and is then fed into the coating chamber at a point above the traveling spreaded carbon fiber tow. The pitch powder initially falls onto the fiber tow and begins forming a uniform coating around the individual carbon fibers. After falling past the point of the traveling carbon tow, the pitch powder is then recirculated back to the upper portion of the coating chamber and is entrained within a pitch powder cloud through which the threaded fiber tow travels. Fibers that are coated by such a method may be used to form carbon/carbon composites that exhibit high strength and excellent mechanical properties. The carbon fibers that are coated according to the present invention do not require the repeated multi-impregnation steps normally associated with carbon/carbon composite formation.

US Patent:

51568314, Oct 20, 1992

Filed:

Apr 2, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/034226

Inventors:

Charles C. Fain - Clemson SC
Danny D. Edie - Clemson SC

Assignee:

Clemson University - Clemson SC

International Classification:

D01F 912

US Classification:

4234471

Abstract:

Hollow carbon fibers and carbon fibers having a generally C-shaped transverse cross-sectional area are produced by extruding a carbonaceous anisotropic liquid precursor through a spinneret having a capillary with a generally C-shaped cross-sectional area, into a fiber filament, controlling the viscosity of the molten precursor, the pressure of the molten precursor and the linear take-up speed of the filament to yield a fiber filament having a cross-sectional area shaped substantially like the shape of the cross-sectional area of the capillary and further having a line-origin microstructure, rendering the filament infusible, heating the filament in an inert pre-carbonizing environment at a temperature in the range of 600. degree. C. to 1000. degree. C. for 1 to 5 minutes, and heating the filament in an inert carbonizing environment at a temperature in the range of 1550. degree. C. to 1600. degree. C. for 5 to 10 minutes, to substantially increase the tensile strength of the filament.

US Patent:

51549085, Oct 13, 1992

Filed:

Sep 12, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/775131

Inventors:

Danny D. Edie - Clemson SC

Assignee:

Clemson University - Clemson SC

International Classification:

C01B 3102

US Classification:

4234471

Abstract:

Carbon fibers having a multi-lobal transverse cross-section are produced by extruding a carbonaceous anisotropic liquid precursor through a spinneret having a capillary with a multi-lobal cross-section, solidifying the extruded filament, rendering the filament infusible, and heating the filament in an inert environment at a temperature sufficient to substantially increase the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the filament.