The 2013 George D. Graffin Lectureship in Carbon Science and Engineering

Dr. Amod A. Ogale
Professor, Chemical Engineering
Director, Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films (CAEFF)
Clemson University

The Versatile Carbon: Fibers for Composites

The American Carbon Society supported by grants from the Asbury Graphite Mills, Inc., sponsors this lecture series in North American Universities. The lecture series is in honor of George D. Graffin, who was a pioneer in the natural graphite industry. Each year the Society selects a lecturer who has made distinguished contributions to carbon science and engineering. The lecture is available to North American universities, by arrangement with the lecturer.

Abstract:
Carbon in its fiber form is one of the strongest materials yet known to mankind, whereas in its minutest form, carbon nanotubes find unique medical applications inside the human body. As a crystalline form, graphite possesses the highest known electrical-thermal conductivity and high temperature lubricity, whereas its diamond form is an expensive, hard material that is an excellent thermal conductor but electrical insulator. This wide range of properties leads to real-world application of carbon in a wide range of fields, including structural carbon fibers, the primary focus of this lecture.

Carbon fibers derived from PAN precursors can possess a tensile strength of 7 GPa, which make them almost five times stronger than the best grade of steel. Mesophase pitch-derived carbon fibers possess a thermal conductivity of 1,000 W/m K, almost thrice that of copper. However, their high cost (relative to reinforcing glass fibers) has limited carbon fiber application in high-performance defense (F16s), aerospace (satellites), and aircraft (Dreamliner 787) applications where their low density (1.8 g/cm3) is particularly desirable. Recent "light-weighting" requirements in automotive and industrial applications has led to a renewed search for low-cost precursors and processing routes. This presentation will address current trends in carbon fiber research that are directed towards cost-sensitive applications.

Recent studies conducted at Clemson and elsewhere will be discussed to explain how melt-spinning of PAN, combined with UV- or plasma-assisted stabilization, is a high volume, solvent-free environmentally desirable route. Discotic mesophase pitch obtained from low-cost petroleum residue will be discussed as a precursor for carbon fibers with excellent high thermal and electrical conductivity. Our recent research on nano-modication of such precursors by CNTs and carbon black will be discussed as a cost-efficient route to prevent pac-man splitting, to enhance compressive/tensile strength ratio, and to maintain excellent graphitic crystallinity and axial transport properties in carbon fibers. Finally, the inherent advantage of such carbon fibers in polymeric composite materials will be highlighted.

The Speaker:

Dr. Amod Ogale, Professor of Chemical Engineering, has been on Clemson University faculty for past 26 years, and also serves as the Director of Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films. Prof. Ogale's research expertise includes processing-microstructure-property relationships of fibers and films, including carbon fibers and composites.

He has published three book chapters, one patent, and over 125 research papers. He has served as the PI or co-PI on more than 50 research grants worth over $ 6 million.

Prof. Amod Ogale is a Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers, an honor bestowed upon only 289 individuals recognized world-wide by the Society for their sustained and life-long contributions to the field of polymers science and engineering. He is the recipient of 2013 Graffin Lecturership awarded by the American Carbon Society.