Carbon Fibers from Oriented Polyethylene Precursors

In this research, an effort is made to produce carbon fibers from a highly ordered and oriented polyethylene fiber. Sulfonation of the fiber is studied as a method of stabilizing this thermoplastic fiber for higher temperatures of carbonization. The effect of time, temperature, tension and medium of sulfonation is being studied systematically. The progress of reactions and the extent of stabilization is studied by thermal analyses (Dif ferential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermogravimetric Analysis). Other techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy and Instron Tension Testing are used to investigate the changes in morphology of the fibers with stabilization treatment. Also, the properties of the carbon fibers produced from these precursors are investigated.