Manufacturing of Carbon Fibers from Alberta Asphaltene

Precursor fibers will be made from Alberta asphaltene using solution or gel spinning. The project will build on the principal investigator’s experience under the DARPA’s Advanced Structural Fiber program for manufacturing high strength and high modulus carbon fibers. Necessary rheological additives may be incorporated to the system to achieve successful spinning, and without adding significant cost. The precursor fibers will be stabilized under appropriate time, temperature, tension, and environmental conditions followed by carbonization. Fibers will be characterized for their structure, morphology, and tensile properties. Asphaltene purity will be the key for achieving good properties for the ultimate carbon fiber.