Effect of phosphorous-based flame retardants on the weight, diameter, and thermal stability after stabilization processes of rayon fibers for carbon fibers

Abstract

Stabilization process is absolutely necessary to convert the precursor fibers into chemically, physically, thermally and structurally stable carbon fibers. Especially, it is critically important for rayon fibers experiencing severe weight loss and thermal shrink age occurring at the stabilization stage below 400 degrees C. The stabilization of rayon fibers strongly depends not only on stabilization temperature but also on heating rate, chemical pre-treatment, atmosphere, and so on. In the present study, the weight loss, fiber diameter change occurred in the furnace during the stabilization process for rayon fibers produced with various heating rates and in the absence and presence of phosphorous-based flame retardants and the thermal stability of the stabilized fibers were investigated. The result indicates that the weight, diameter and thermal stability of the rayon fibers are significantly affected by the type and amount of the flame retardant used. It is also suggested that the pre-treatment of rayon fibers with a concentration lower than 3 vol% of phosphoric acid is most desirable for further carbonization process of stabilized rayon fibers.