Apparatus and method for carbon fiber surface treatment
US8741395B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2032 |
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.