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At least 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-289: Scintillating Fiber Based In-Vivo Dose Monitoring System to the Rectum in Proton Therapy of Prostate Cancer: A Geant4 Monte Carlo Simulation

Purpose: To construct a dose monitoring system based on an endorectal balloon coupled to thin scintillating fibers to study the dose delivered to the rectum during prostate cancer proton therapy Methods: The Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit version 9.6p02 was used to simulate prostate cancer proton therapy treatments of an endorectal balloon (for immobilization of a 2.9 cm diameter prostate gland) and a set of 34 scintillating fibers symmetrically placed around the balloon and perpendicular to the proton beam direction (for dosimetry measurements) Results: A linear response of the fibers to the dose delivered was observed within <2%, a property that makes them good candidates for real time dosimetry. Results obtained show that the closest fiber recorded about 1/3 of the dose to the target with a 1/r{sup 2} decrease in the dose distribution as one goes toward the frontal and distal top fibers. Very low dose was recorded by the bottom fibers (about 45 times comparatively), which is a clear indication that the overall volume of the rectal wall that is exposed to a higher dose is relatively minimized. Further analysis indicated a simple scaling relationship between the dose to the prostate and the dose to the top fibers (a linear fit gave a slope of −0.07±0.07 MeV per treatment Gy) Conclusion: Thin (1 mm × 1 mm × 100 cm) long scintillating fibers were found to be ideal for real time in-vivo dose measurement to the rectum for prostate cancer proton therapy. The linear response of the fibers to the dose delivered makes them good candidates of dosimeters. With thorough calibration and the ability to define a good correlation between the dose to the target and the dose to the fibers, such dosimeters can be used for real time dose verification to the target.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Linear Transformation of the Polarization Modes in Coiled Optical Spun-Fibers with Strong Unperturbed Linear Birefringence. I. Nonresonant Transformation

A linear transformation of orthogonal polarization modes in coiled optical spun-fibers with strong unperturbed linear birefringence, which causes the emergence of the dependences of the integrated elliptical birefringence and the ellipticity and azimuth of the major axis of the ellipse, as well as the polarization state of radiation (PSR), on the length of optical fiber has been considered. Optical spun-fibers are subjected to a strong mechanical twisting, which is frozen into the structure of the optical fiber upon cooling, in the process of being drawn out from the workpiece. Since the values of the local polarization parameters of coiled spunwaveguides vary according to a rather complex law, the calculations were carried out by numerical modeling of the parameters of the Jones matrices. Since the rotation speed of the axes of the birefringence is constant on a relatively short segment of a coiled optical spun-fiber in the accompanying torsion (helical) coordinate system, the so-called “Ginzburg helical polarization modes” (GHPMs)—two mutually orthogonal ellipses with the opposite directions of traversal, the axis of which rotate relative to the fixed coordinate system uniformly and unidirectionally—are approximately the local normal polarization modes of such optical fiber. It has been shown that, despite the fact that the unperturbed linear birefringence of the spun-fibers significantly exceeds the linear birefringence, which is caused by the winding on a coil, the integral birefringence of an extended segment of such a fiber coincides in order of magnitude with the linear birefringence, which is caused by the winding on the coil, and the integral polarization modes tend asymptotically to circular ones. It has been also shown that the values of the circular birefringence of twisted single-mode fibers, which were calculated in a nonrotating and torsion helical coordinate systems, differ significantly. It has been shown that the polarization phenomena occur in the process of linear transformation of local polarization modes, which lead to small quasi-harmonic oscillations of the birefringence integral parameters of the optical spun-fibers, which depend on their length, and the period of these oscillations is approximately equal to half of the effective period of polarization beating.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Uptake in Drilled Hollow Core Fibers for Raman Spectroscopy

Fiber-based Raman spectroscopy enhances the Raman signal by maximizing the overlap of the optical field and the gas species. However, filling the hollow-core fiber (HCF) with gas requires time that is dependent on the fiber core diameter, fiber length, and pressure of the gas. At ambient pressure, the fiber gas uptake is driven by diffusion into the fiber ends, severely limiting the response time of the system. By laser drilling access holes to the core along the length of the fiber, the uptake time of the gas is reduced, improving the system response time. In this work, we study the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) sensor dynamics based on Raman signal intensity generated in HCFs. The signal intensity versus gas concentration is characterized by controlling the CO 2 concentration in the surrounding environment of the fiber. Next, we characterize the gas uptake time in HCFs as a function of fiber length. Finally, we optimize the access hole configuration along the fiber, demonstrating reduced sensor uptake time by a factor of three.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Wetting behaviors of fluoroterpolymer fiber films

Various aspects of electrospun fibers prepared from terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), and vinylidene fluoride (VDF) (THV)/acetone solutions at two applied voltages, THV/acetone solutions having Texas montmorillonite with two ratios, and THV/ethyl acetate solutions using two needle sizes are described. Fibers from THV/acetone and THV/ethyl acetate solutions showed shallow indentations and pores, respectively. The clay, functioning as electrospinning agent, did not influence the fiber morphology, but yielded narrower fiber diameter distribution and the thinnest fibers. Heterogeneous fiber diameter distribution and increase in the fiber diameters were observed by lowering the voltage for fibers of THV/acetone solutions. Fibers from THV/ethyl acetate solutions had the largest diameter and the broadest diameter distribution. Electrospun THV fibers having both hydrophobic characteristics with nearly 140° water contact angles and oleophilic properties with oil contact angles less than 45° might have applications in areas such as water/oil separation.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2020

Smart Adhesive Joint with High-Definition Fiber-Optic Sensing for Automotive Applications

Structural health monitoring of fiber-reinforced composite-based joints for automotive applications during their manufacturing and on-demand assessment for its durability in working environments is critically needed. High-definition fiber-optic sensing is an effective method to measure internal strain/stress development using minimally invasive continuous sensors. The sensing fiber diameters are in the same order of magnitude when compared to reinforcement (glass, basalt, or carbon fibers) used in polymer composites. They also offer a unique ability to monitor the evolution of residual stresses after repeated thermal exposure with varying temperatures for automotive components/joints during painting using an electrophoretic painting process. In this paper, a high-definition fiber-optic sensor utilizing Rayleigh scattering is embedded within an adhesive joint between a carbon fiber-reinforced thermoset composite panel and an aluminum panel to measure spatially resolved strain development, residual strain, and thermal expansion properties during the electrophoretic paint process-simulated conditions. The strain measured by the continuous fiber-optic sensor was compared with an alternate technique using thermal digital image correlation. The fiber-optic sensor was able to identify the spatial variation of residual strains for a discontinuous carbon fiber-reinforced composite with varying local fiber orientations and resin content.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1997

Contractile properties of rat, rhesus monkey, and human type I muscle fibers

It is well known that skeletal muscle intrinsic maximal shortening velocity is inversely related to species body mass. However, there is uncertainty regarding the relationship between the contractile properties of muscle fibers obtained from commonly studied laboratory animals and those obtained from humans. In this study we determined the contractile properties of single chemically skinned fibers prepared from rat, rhesus monkey, and human soleus and gastrocnemius muscle samples under identical experimental conditions. All fibers used for analysis expressed type I myosin heavy chain as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Allometric coefficients for type I fibers from each muscle indicated that there was little change in peak tension (force/fiber cross-sectional area) across species. In contrast, both soleus and gastrocnemius type I fiber maximal unloaded shortening velocity (Vo), the y-intercept of the force-velocity relationship (Vmax), peak power per unit fiber length, and peak power normalized for fiber length and cross-sectional area were all inversely related to species body mass. The present allometric coefficients for soleus fiber Vo (-0.18) and Vmax (-0.11) are in good agreement with published values for soleus fibers obtained from common laboratory and domesticated mammals. Taken together, these observations suggest that the Vo of slow fibers from quadrupeds and humans scale similarly and can be described by the same quantitative relationships. These findings have implications in the design and interpretation of experiments, especially those that use small laboratory mammals as a model of human muscle function.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗
NASA NTRS2019

Computational Micromechanics Model for the Analysis of Fiber Kinking in Unidirectional FRP

A computational micromechanics (CMM) model is developed to analyze fiber kinking, which is a failure mechanism that takes place in fiber-reinforced composites when they are loaded under longitudinal compression. The CMM model consists of a single AS4 carbon fiber with an initial misalignment embedded in an 8552 polymer matrix. The deformation of the model is governed by periodic boundary conditions (PBC). The relatively simple CMM model enables the evaluation of the role played by initial misalignment of the fiber, shear yielding of the matrix and fiber-matrix debonding. A novel microscale experimental technique devoted to the characterization of the longitudinal compressive strength of the fibers, X(sup f)(sub c) , was developed. By exercising the model and comparing it with several existing models in the literature, the nonlinear shear response of the composite lamina was shown to play a fundamental role not only in the prediction of the compressive strength X(sub c), but also during the post-peak regime in terms of residual stress σ(sub r) and fiber rotation φ. Finally, the influence of the fiber-matrix interface damage (not considered in most other fiber kinking models) on the fiber kinking phenomenon was assessed through a parametric study.

Polymer-matrix composites (PMC)↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Insertion Loss of a Multi-Plane Light Conversion Device with Few Mode Fiber Outputs Under Atmospheric Conditions

A key challenge of photon counting optical communication is delivering light with atmospherically distorted wavefronts from the telescope to detectors efficiently. When using fiber coupled single photon detectors, the efficiency of the transmittance is constrained by the modes supported by the fiber. The number of modes supported by a fiber depends on the size of the core. The larger the core, the more modes supported. However, commercial off the shelf superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) are currently limited in area, which limits the core size of the fibers that can efficiently couple to the detectors. To increase the amount of light that can be delivered to the detectors, NASA Glenn Research Center is considering many different fiber/detector architectures. This paper compares insertion loss of the fiber device for two different architectures: • a multi-plane light conversion device to split the light from a 30 µm core diameter fiber into 7 separate, 15 µm core diameter few-mode fibers butt-coupled to 7 single-element SNSPDs, and • a 30 µm core diameter multimode fiber butt-coupled to a 16 multi-element, SNSPD array. The measured insertion loss for each fiber device under emulated atmospheric conditions with D/r0 between 2 and 30 is presented. The multi-plane light conversion device shows a consistent ~1 dB loss more than the multimode fiber. Also presented is the measured uneven power splitting of the multiplane light conversion device, especially at lower D/r0. How this uneven power splitting contributes to system loss called blocking loss is discussed.

Fiber↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Insertion Loss of a Multi-Plane Light Conversion Device with Few Mode Fiber Outputs Under Atmospheric Conditions

A key challenge of photon counting optical communication is delivering light with atmospherically distorted wavefronts from the telescope to detectors efficiently. When using fiber coupled single photon detectors, the efficiency of the transmittance is constrained by the modes supported by the fiber. The number of modes supported by a fiber depends on the size of the core. The larger the core, the more modes supported. However, commercial off the shelf superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) are currently limited in area, which limits the core size of the fibers that can efficiently couple to the detectors. To increase the amount of light that can be delivered to the detectors, NASA Glenn Research Center is considering many different fiber/detector architectures. This paper compares insertion loss of the fiber device for two different architectures: • a multi-plane light conversion device to split the light from a 30 µm core diameter fiber into 7 separate, 15 µm core diameter few-mode fibers butt-coupled to 7 single-element SNSPDs, • and a 30 µm core diameter multimode fiber butt-coupled to a 16 multi-element, SNSPD array. The measured insertion loss for each fiber device under emulated atmospheric conditions with D/r0 between 2 and 30 is presented. The multi-plane light conversion device shows a consistent ~1 dB loss more than the multimode fiber. Also presented is the measured uneven power splitting of the multiplane light conversion device, especially at lower D/r0. How this uneven power splitting contributes to system loss called blocking loss is discussed.

Multi-plane light conversion device↗
DOE OSTI2025

The Anisotropic Adsorption of De Novo Allosteric Two‐Component Protein Fibers on Mica Surfaces

Protein adsorption at solid–liquid interfaces underlies many biomedical and materials applications, yet the mechanisms governing adsorption of proteins and their assemblies remain poorly understood. Here we investigate de novo–designed proteins that self-assemble into three fibrillar morphologies — small (S), large (L), and helical (H)—on muscovite mica. S-fibers are metastable, forming first but diminishing as L- and H-fibers develop and deposit. Adsorption of both fibers and monomers depends on fiber morphology and solvent environment, which is modulated by the substrate. The anisotropic surface features of the fiber types—long axis of S- and L-fibers and helical grooves of H-fibers—correlate with specific crystallographic directions on mica (001). S- and L-fibers align along the unique lattice axis, while the substrate-facing groove of H-fibers preferentially aligns along the remaining symmetry-related directions. Increasing potassium chloride (KCl) concentrations to molar levels alters adsorption, decreasing monomer coverage relative to fibers. These observations, interpreted through the effect of interfacial interface, indicate that ion-mediated modulation of hydration layers governs electrostatic interactions and alignment. This study reveals how coupling between protein topography, substrate crystallography, and hydration structure dictates selective adsorption and orientation of protein assemblies, offering insights for rational biomolecular material design.

AFM↗
DOE OSTI2021

Quantitative analysis of Raman spectral parameters for carbon fibers: practical considerations and connection to mechanical properties

Although the literature on the Raman spectra of carbon fibers is vast, no consistent, robust predictive relationship between mechanical properties of carbon fibers and spectral parameters exists. This shortcoming is due to the use of numerous fitting functions to evaluate Raman spectra of carbon fibers and the inconsistencies in establishing the best fitting models in a statistically robust fashion. To address this gap, we present a comprehensive work on the Raman spectra of carbon fibers that combines a vast library of experimental data with a robust numerical analysis and a statistical evaluation of a wide range of suggested fitting models. This manuscript begins with a brief review of the commonly applied fitting models. Then, the Raman spectra of 32 commercially available polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers collected at excitation wavelengths 532, 633, and 785 nm are presented and the best fit for all fibers is evaluated based on several statistical criteria in conjunction with numerical calculations and physical arguments. The results suggest that high-performance fibers must be fit with at least five peaks, whereas high-tensile modulus fibers are best fit with at least six distinct peaks. Finally, we employ simultaneous fitting of the Raman spectra of specific fibers and wavelengths and demonstrate that strong correlations exist between mechanical properties and the D1 peak position and shape across the range of evaluated mechanical properties. Finally, we suggest straightforward improvements in fitting analysis procedures that can be implemented to increase coherency in the understanding of the underlying carbon fiber microstructure intuited from Raman spectroscopy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Electrospun protein-CNT composite fibers and the application in fibroblast stimulation

Functional biopolymer scaffolds are in high demand for tissue regeneration. In this study, we incorporated functionalized CNT in collagen or silk protein solution to generate biocomposite fibers by electrospinning. The addition of CNT reinforced the strength of the scaffolds and rendered the fibers electrical conductivity to not only facilitate the E-spun fiber formation but also grant the fibers an additional functionality that can be utilized for cell stimulation. Considering fiber dimension, alignment, mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and biocompatibility, silk-CNT fibers containing a minute amount of CNT (0.05%) outperformed other fiber types. The modulation effect of these fibers was examined by their application in inducing polarization and activation of fibroblasts with cellular deficit. While the fibroblasts on both collagen-CNT and silk-CNT fibers synthesized a substantially higher level of collagen type III (COLIII) than cells on pure protein fibers to reduce the abnormally high COLI/COLIII ratio, electrical stimulation boosted the collagen productivity by 20 folds in cells on silk-CNT than on collagen-CNT due to silk-CNT's high electrical conductivity. The developed approach can be potentially utilized to remedy the dysfunctional fibroblasts for therapeutic treatment of diseases and health conditions associated with collagen disorder.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Charcoal from anaerobically digested dairy fiber for removal of hydrogen sulfide within biogas

Highlights: • Anaerobically digested (AD) fiber was used for charcoal production via pyrolysis. • Charcoal from AD fiber can effectively adsorb H{sub 2}S from biogas. • Impregnation of charcoal from AD fiber with Na{sub 2}CO{sub 3} increases H{sub 2}S sorption capacity. • Ash in the AD fiber helps the retention of S on the surfaces of the char. • Charcoal manufacture is a promising approach to use abundant AD fiber. - Abstract: Anaerobically digested fibrous solid (AD fiber) is an abundant material that offers potential to produce value-added products such as biochar. The objective of this paper is to better understand how thermochemical processing conditions affect the capacity of biochars derived from AD fiber to adsorb H{sub 2}S from biogas. AD fiber was pyrolyzed in an electric tube reactor at temperatures up to 600 °C and 60 min. The chars were employed for H{sub 2}S scrubbing tests from a synthetic biogas. Results showed that the chars’ capacity for H{sub 2}S removal is comparable to that of activated carbon. An additional step consisting of impregnation of the chars with Na{sub 2}CO{sub 3} resulted in an improved capacity for H{sub 2}S removal. To study the effect of ash, the AD fiber was also subjected to an alternative thermal treatment, hot water extraction (HWE), at 200 °C for 60 min. The resulting HWE material showed no removal of H{sub 2}S from biogas, indicating that the ash and the environment employed for the thermal treatment of AD fiber play an important role in the char’s performance for H{sub 2}S removal. Results also suggest that a portion of the S in the charcoal after the H{sub 2}S sorption process exists as free or adsorbed S (i.e., not chemically bonded to the charcoal).

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Raman spectroscopy of thermally perturbed carbon fibers: Discriminating spectral responses of modulus classes and defect types

The mechanical strength properties of carbon fibers are generally thought to be correlated with the presence of underlying atomic-level defects. These defects serve to break the underlying translational symmetry of the graphitic or graphene subunits of the fiber construction, resulting in the emergence of new Raman-active spectral features. However, historical attempts to classify the precise origin of defect contributions to the Raman spectra have been challenging because of indistinct and overlapping features in the carbon fiber Raman spectra. Further, while substantial research exists on high-temperature exposure in inert atmospheres for carbon fiber composites, comparatively less addresses microscale behaviors and Raman spectral alterations to monofilament carbon fibers exposed to high-temperature atmospheric environments. Here, we report Raman spectral responses of nine commercially available high-performance, polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers exposed to various atmospheric heat treatments. In this work, we introduce a model-independent characterization method, the integrated absolute difference, to quantify the spectral responses to heat treatment of different fiber modulus classes. We combine this new method with a newly reported strategy to standardize spectral fitting for carbon fibers. With this approach, we show that atomic-scale defects in the underlying fiber microstructure manifest in measurably distinct manners and have distinct responses to thermal perturbation. These combined approaches may lay the foundation for disentangling contributions from specific defects in the Raman spectra of carbon fibers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Method to measure orientation of discontinuous fiber embedded in the polymer matrix from computerized tomography scan data

Usage of discontinuous glass fibers in injection and compression molded resin components is rapidly increasing to improve their mechanical properties. Since added fiber contributes to more strength along the fiber direction compared to transverse direction, the mechanical properties of such components strongly depend on the fiber orientation. Thus it is important to estimate the fiber orientation distribution in such materials. Here, we are presenting recently developed method to estimate fiber orientation from 3D image of fibers generated using micro CT scan. Typically the 3D images from CT scan are very large and it becomes difficult to separate each fiber and extract end point information. In this paper a novel method to address this challenge is presented. The micro-CT images were broken into finite volume, reducing data size, and then each fiber was reduced to its own center line, further reducing the data size, using Mimics Innovation Suite (Materialise NV). These 3D centerlines were then used to quantify the 2nd order orientation tensor. Our results from the proposed method are compared with the measurements using well established industry standard approach called method of ellipses for validation. The key challenges in estimating the fiber orientation are identified and future improvements are proposed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

X-ray Diffraction and Neutron Scattering Analysis of Natural and Synthetic Spider Silk Fibers

Spider silks have the potential to provide new bio-inspired materials for numerous applications in bioenergetics and products ranging from protective clothing to artificial ligaments and tendons. A number of spider silk genes have been cloned and sequenced by the Lewis laboratory revealing the basis for understanding the key elements of spider silk proteins with respect to their materials performance. In particular, specific amino acid motifs have been identified which have been conserved for over 125 million years in all spiders that use their silk to physically trap prey. The key element in taking the next step toward generating bio-based materials from spider silks will be to move from the current descriptive data to predictive knowledge. Current efforts are focused on mimicking spider silk through synthetic proteins. In developing synthetic silk fibers, we first need to understand the complete secondary and tertiary structure of natural silk so that we can compare synthetic constructs to the natural material. Being able to compare the structure on a single fiber level is critical to the future of molecular directed mimic development because we can vary mechanical properties by different spinning methods. The new generation of synchrotron x-ray diffraction and neutron beamlines will allow, for the first time, determination of the molecular structure of silk fibers and synthetic mimics. We propose an exciting new collaborative research team working jointly between Argonne National Laboratory, Arizona State U. and the University of Wyoming to address the ?characterization of synthetic and natural spider silk fibers using x-ray and neutron diffraction.? Thus these new methodologies will provide understanding of current fibers and determine changes needed to produce fibers with specific properties. The following specific aims are proposed: ? Synthesize spider silk fibers with molecular structures mimicking that of natural silks. Test the mechanic properties of these materials and compare them to natural silk fibers. ? Develop x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques to better determine the structure in amorphous and semicrystalline biopolymers, such as spider silk fibers. ? Combine mechanical testing and structural x-ray and neutron diffraction data to develop a molecular understanding of the structure-function relationship in spider silk materials. ? Elucidate the role water plays in spider silk fiber formation and structure. Emphasis will be placed on combined neutron and NMR studies. ? Use solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to characterize synthetic and natural spider silk materials that show potential as a biomimetic material or bio-inspired polymer architecture. ? Develop EPSCoR student and postdoctoral training and exposure to national laboratory facilities. ? Further develop scientific outreach and chemical education programs and research.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1976

Carbide coated fibers in graphites-aluminum composites

Research activities are described for a NASA-supported program at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory to develop graphite fiber-aluminum matrix composites. A chemical vapor deposition apparatus was constructed for continuously coating graphite fibers with TiC. As much as 150 meters of continuously coated fibers were produced. Deposition temperatures were varied from 1365 K to about 1750 K, and deposition time from 6 to 150 seconds. The 6 sec deposition time corresponded to a fiber feed rate of 2.54 m/min through the coater. Thin, uniform, adherent TiC coats, with thicknesses up to approximately 0.1 micrometer were produced on the individual fibers of Thornel 50 graphite yarns without affecting fiber strength. Although coat properties were fairly uniform throughout a given batch, more work is needed to improve the batch-to-batch reproducibility. Samples of TiC-coated Thornel 50 fibers were infiltrated with an aluminum alloy and hot-pressed in vacuum to produce small composite bars for flexure testing. Strengths as high as 90% of the rule-of-mixtures strength were achieved. Results of the examination of the fracture surfaces indicate that the bonding between the aluminum and the TiC-coated fibers is better than that achieved in a similar, commercially infiltrated material made with fibers having no observable surface coats. Several samples of Al-infiltrated, TiC-coated Thornel 50 graphite yarns, together with samples of the commercially infiltrated, uncoated fibers, were heated for 100 hours at temperatures near the alloy solidus. The TiC-coated samples appear to undergo less reaction than do the uncoated samples. Photomicrographs are shown.

Imprescia, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Novel approaches for alleviation of electrical hazards of graphite-fiber composites

Four basically different approaches were considered: gasification of fibers, retention in the matrix, clumping to prevent entrainment, and electrical insulation of fibers. The techniques used to achieve them are described in some detail. These involved surface treatment of fibers to improve the wettability of fibers and coating the fibers with the selected substances before laying them up for composite fabrication. Thermogravimetric analyses were performed on the plain and treated fibers in inert (nitrogen, argon) and reactive (air) atmospheres. The treated fibers embedded in epoxy were ignited in a Bunsen flame to determine the efficiency of these treatments. A simple apparatus was assembled to detect the time for the first short circuit (in a typical electrical circuit) when exposed to the combustion products from a graphite fiber composite fire. The state-of-the-art and treated fibers cast in typical epoxy were burned and ranked for potential success. It was inferred that the gasification schemes appear promising when reduction or oxidation is tried. It was also found that some very promising candidates were available for the clumping and for the electrical insulation of fibers.

Ramohalli, K.↗