The effect of graphitization temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of carbon fibers

The effect of graphitization temperature on the microstructure, elemental composition, surface cha￣racter and mechanical properties of carbon fibers was studied by means of SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis and mechanical testing. It was found that with an increase of heat treatment temperature ranging from 1800 to 3000℃, the percent carbon increases from 92.62% to 99.99%, the interlayer spacing d_ 002 decreases, both d_ 100 and the d_ 110 increase, L_a and L_c increase, tensile strength decreases, and Young’s modulus increases.