Engineering Creativity Award: Improved Pitch-based Carbon Fibers

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The research involves the improvement of pitch-based carbon fibers used in construction of composite materials. Composites using various shaped fibers are formed, the compressive properties are tested, and comparisons made to predict optimum fiber shape. Matrex stress analyses for each fiber shape are considered theoretically. The buckling load and moment of inertia of the fibers are determined experimentally. The matter of fiber formation is emphasized. All fibers are produced by the same method and under the same conditions- melt spinning. The experimental portion requires chemical processing combined with mechanical testing. This project is one supported under the Creativity Awards for Undergraduate Engineering Students.