SAMPE Journal - March/April 2022 - 58

FEATURE / LOW-COST TEXTILE GRADE CARBON FIBER
in various processes relevant to end-use. With
global emphasis on decarbonization, lowering
energy consumption is gaining paramount
importance. The textile grade carbon fiber and
composites made from it provide pathway for
lowering embodied energy, in otherwise energy
intensive traditional carbon fiber. The work in the
family of textile grade carbon fibers continues to
evolve with emerging markets and continuous
innovation. The value-add provided by low-cost
textile grade carbon has most merit in modulus
(stiffness) driven applications. The textile grade
carbon fiber has the potential to fill a niche in the
material supply chain for broader non-aerospace
market segments. By adopting textile grade carbon
fiber in unique intermediates further widens the
use space for their composites.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The information, data, and work presented herein
was funded in part by the US Department of Energy
(DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy. The support from DOE Annual Operating
Plan (AOP) WBS# 1.2.3.7 to the Carbon Fiber
Technology Facility (CFTF) at Oak Ridge National
Laboratory is gratefully acknowledged. The authors
would also like to acknowledge the support of the
Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing
Innovation (IACMI) - The Composites Institute
under Award Number DE-EE0006926. This work
is a contribution of numerous researchers within
ORNL, IACMI, UT and industry partners. We are
grateful to the collaboration and contributions
from Cliff Eberle, John Hopkins, Dale Brosius,
Raymond Boeman, Brian Knouff, Douglas Bradley,
John Unser, Soydan Ozcan, Vlastimil Kunc, Ahmed
Hassen, Brian Rice, Tina Summers, Stephen
Andrew Young, Nitilaksha Hiremath and host of
UT students. Support from the industry partnersChomarat,
Valley Enterprises, McCoy Industries,
Arkema, Strongwell, Zoltek, Ineos, IDI Composites
is gratefully acknowledged.
REFERENCES
1. Jeff Sloan, Carbon fiber's future: Supply and demand.
https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/carbonfibers-future,
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OVER 50 YEARS ADVANCED COMPOSITES
& FRP COMPOSITES EXPERIENCE
Dr. Scott W. Beckwith is recognized internationally as a key technical expert with services on critical U.S.
Government and industry committees, and professional society advisory boards, in areas of commercial
and aerospace composites design and manufacturing technology. Dr. Beckwith delivers extensive consulting
services catered to what each client needs. As a seasoned Engineering Consultant, he will work closely with
you to develop actionable plans to help reach your goals.
Expert Witness, Litigation, Insurance
and Patent Technology Areas
■ Composite materials and processing technologies
■ Advanced composites and FRP composites
■ Failure investigation and process deficiencies
■ Pressure vessels, pipe and fittings, tanks
■ Sports/recreational products (bikes, arrows, etc.)
■ Composites product liability failures
Composite Materials and Structures
■ Carbon Fiber Technology
■ Manufacturing of Advanced & FRP Composites
■ Composites and Plastics Failure & Forensics
Training and Workforce Development
■ In-plant Training
■ Seminars, Workshops and Tutorials
Expert Witness.
Composites Professional.
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Effective Instructor.
CONTACT SCOTT TODAY FOR A CONSULTATION.
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Cell: (801) 232-5407
swbeckwith@aol.com
4956 S. Jordan Canal Road
Taylorsville, Utah 84129-2202
www.btgcompositespro.com
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58 | SAMPE JOURNAL | MARCH/APRIL 2022
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https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/carbon-fibers-future https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/carbon-fibers-future http://gov/sites/prod/files/2020/02/f71/fcto-compressed-gas-storage- workshop-2020-theodore.pdf http://gov/sites/prod/files/2020/02/f71/fcto-compressed-gas-storage- workshop-2020-theodore.pdf http://gov/sites/prod/files/2020/02/f71/fcto-compressed-gas-storage- workshop-2020-theodore.pdf https://www.epa.gov/automotive-trends https://www.epa.gov/automotive-trends http://www.iacmi.org http://www.btgcompositespro.com http://www.sampe.org

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