Weaving Ability of Pitch-based Carbon Fiber and It's Evaluation Method

Process conditions required to weave the pitch-based HMCF (High Modulus Carbon Fiber) cloth with combination weave were researched by use of a rapier loom. Then the relationships among a weaving ability of the fibers, the result of tension rubbing test and of loop strength test were investigated in order to find a simple method for the evaluation of weaving ability of the fibers. Finally the fiber properties which influence the results of both simple tests were discussed. The obtained results are summarized as follows:1) The cloth with combination weave were prepared successufully by applying some ordinary regulation to the loom at the weaving speed less than 60cycles/minute. However some improvements of the loom were required to perform the further weaving speed.2) The weaving ability of HMCF can be evaluated by the tension rubbing test.3) Tension rubbing toughness of the fibers is influenced by their breaking elongation and modulus, especially the former, and the loop strength of the fibers seems to be controlled by their gathering ability.