Carbon Fibers for Electrically Heated System
Abstract
Characteristics of fibrous carbon materials and techniques for fabricating them into electrically heated systems have been investigated. The inherent characteristics of carbon fibers, yarns, and fabrics and make of composites of carbon with glass fibers have been evaluated by analytical and experimental means. It was found necessary to coat carbon materials with a protective layer of elastomer or other substance to overcome carbon's extremely poor abrasion and kink resistance. Coating of the carbon material reduces its flexibility and increases the difficulty of making electrical attachments to it and making electrically continuous seams. Approaches to alleviating the electrical difficulties were developed, but the poor flexibility of coated carbon fabric or composite fabric tends to make it unsuitable for small, complex assemblies such as handwear. Development of more flexible coatings could reverse this conclusion. Carbon fabrics and/or carbon/glass composite fabrics appear to be ideally suited for relatively large heated assemblies such as vests, casualty bag liners, etc. that these materials may have the other characteristics required for incorporation into personnel clothing as electrical heating elements. This report describes the results of a program designed to (1) evaluate current carbon/graphite fiber technology, (2) survey available fibers, yarns, woven and knitted structures using carbon/graphite fibers; (3) test and evaluate existing and readily fabricated structures for application to personnel heating; and (4) establish interim performance and design requirements for carbon/graphite fiber, electrically-heated personnel protective equipment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA020952
Entities
People
- David Mangelsdorf