Apparatus and method for carbon fiber surface treatment
US8227051B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06M2101/40
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for enhancing the surface energy and/or surface chemistry of carbon fibers involves exposing the fibers to direct or indirect contact with atmospheric pressure plasma generated using a background gas containing at least some oxygen or other reactive species. The fiber may be exposed directly to the plasma, provided that the plasma is nonfilamentary, or the fiber may be exposed indirectly through contact with gases exhausting from a plasma discharge maintained in a separate volume. In either case, the process is carried out at or near atmospheric pressure, thereby eliminating the need for vacuum equipment. The process may be further modified by moistening the fibers with selected oxygen-containing liquids before exposure to the plasma.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.