(19)
(11) EP 0 372 931 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
06.11.1991 Bulletin 1991/45

(43) Date of publication A2:
13.06.1990 Bulletin 1990/24

(21) Application number: 89312718.3

(22) Date of filing: 06.12.1989
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: D01F 9/145
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE DE ES FR GB GR IT NL SE

(30) Priority: 07.12.1988 US 280942
15.03.1989 US 324401

(71) Applicant: AMOCO CORPORATION
Chicago Illinois 60601 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Schulz, David Arthur
    Fairview Park Ohio 44126 (US)
  • Nelson, Loren Carl
    Strongeville Ohio 44136 (US)

(74) Representative: Baverstock, Michael George Douglas et al
BOULT, WADE & TENNANT 27 Furnival Street
London, EC4A 1PQ
London, EC4A 1PQ (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Continuous, ultrahigh modulus carbon fiber


    (57) A high modulus, pitch-based, continuous carbon fiber has a density above about 2.18 g/cc, an electrical resistivity below about 1.6 micro-ohm-meter, and a density greater than 2.18 g/cc. This carbon fiber may be made by a process comprising the steps of:

    (a) melt-spinning a mesophase pitch having a softening point above about 345oC, said melt-spinning being conducted at a temperature above about 395oC, to form a plurality of continuous pitch fibers,

    (b) infusibilizing said pitch fibers by a treatment with aqueous nitric acid; and

    (c) carbonizing the infusibilized pitch fibers by a thermal treatment conducted in a substantially inert gas atmosphere to a final temperature above about 3000oC. After step b) a first heating step in the range of 1000-1600oC may be applied.







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