Hybrid fiber tows containning both nano-fillers and continuous fibers, hybrid composites, and their production processes

• US 20080020193A1
• Filed: 07/24/2006
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Song, Lulu, Zhamu, Aruna, Jang, Bor Z., Guo, Jiusheng
• Application Number:
  US11/491,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20080020193A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/292.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 15/12 of reinforcements of indefinite length
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 15/125 by dipping
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/025 with particular filler
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/20 oriented in a single direction, e.g. roofing or other parallel fibres B29C70/083, B29C70/226 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/162 Nanoparticles
• CPC Class Codes: D02J 1/18 Separating or spreading
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 1/12 Cords, lines, or tows
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 3/04 in rectilinear paths, e.g. crossing at right angles
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 3/12 with filaments or yarns secured together by chemical or thermo-activatable bonding agents, e.g. adhesives, applied or incorporated in liquid or solid form
• CPC Class Codes: D06B 1/04 by pouring or allowing to flow on to the surface of the textile material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249924 Noninterengaged fiber-containing paper-free web or sheet which is not of specified porosity

Abstract

Disclosed is a hybrid fiber tow that comprises multiple continuous filaments and nanoscale fillers embedded in the interstitial spaces between continuous filaments. Nanoscale fillers may be selected from a nanoscale graphene plate, non-graphite platelet, carbon nano-tube, nano-rod, carbon nano-fiber, non-carbon nano-fiber, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are a hybrid fiber tow impregnated with a matrix material and a composite structure fabricated from a hybrid fiber tow. The composite exhibits improved physical properties (e.g., thermal conductivity) in a direction transverse to the continuous fiber axis. A roll-to-roll process for producing a continuous fiber tow or matrix-impregnated fiber tow and an automated process for producing composite structures containing both continuous filaments and nanoscale fillers are also provided.

Claims