Nov 02, 2018

Revolutionizing Carbon Fibres - RCCF Opens Laboratory

Die RCCF-Wissenschaftler Benjamin Richter und Daniel Wolz begutachten vor der Carbonisierungsanlage die entstandene Carbonfaser. — RCCF scientists Benjamin Richter and Daniel Wolz inspect the produced carbon fibre in front of the carbonization line.

Dr. Eva-Maria Stange, State Minister for Science and Art of the Free State of Saxony, Prof. Gerhard Rödel, Prorector for Research at the Technische Universität Dresden, Prof. Hubert Jäger and Prof. Chokri Cherif inaugurated the Carbon Fibre Laboratory of the Research Center Carbon Fibers (RCCF) with a ceremony on 02.11.2018.

The RCCF, a joint scientific institution of the Institute for Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) and the Institute for Textile Machinery and High-Performance Materials Technology (ITM) of the TU Dresden, was founded to research carbon fibres from the fibre precursor to the finished component and to discover new properties and possible applications.

Minister of State Dr. Stange, Prorector Prof. Rödel, Prof. Cherif and Prof. Gude cut the red band for the opening of the research laboratory.

" Saxony has excellent framework conditions in the key technology of materials science and nanoscience and highly motivated scientists at universities and research institutions who are without equal worldwide in this specialisation," explains Minister of State Dr. Stange. "Almost all material classes from metals, polymers and ceramics to composites and natural materials are processed at a high international level. Basic and applied research in numerous fields are closely interlinked and form closed development chains up to a transfer into the economy - regional, national and international".

Prof. Gerhard Rödel, Prorector for Research at TU Dresden, adds: "The Carbon Fibre Laboratory at the Research Center Carbon Fibers is a globally unique facility that opens up completely new possibilities. The aim is to design fibres with as high a degree of individualisation as possible - depending on requirements and areas of application".

On the unique facility currently installed, RCCF scientists are researching the basis for tailored carbon fibers under clean room conditions and developing their high innovation potential. The researchers use individual modules for stabilization and carbonization with industry-oriented furnace designs and individually adjustable parameter combinations. Due to the extraordinary degree of purity, the carbon fibres are tailored to the requirements of the aerospace and automotive industries.

"The carbon fibre is the steel of the 21st century," explains Prof. Hubert Jäger, spokesman of the Institute for Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK). "Entire industries are currently reinventing themselves with this material and are achieving unimagined dimensions with their products. The problem, however, is availability. With the carbon fibre pilot facility, we will make a contribution to ensuring that this material is not only more readily available from Saxony, but also better and more customized for applications in aerospace, vehicle construction, architecture and high-performance electronics.“

"With the start of operation of the carbon fibre laboratory under clean room conditions at the RCCF, we have succeeded in significantly expanding the process chain for the production of tailored carbon fibres. The required ITM equipment, including the experience already gained in process optimization for the production of precursor fibres, the source material for the new stabilization and carbonization lines, will be available to RCCF scientists in future research projects. Thus, at the excellent research location Dresden, we are providing the initial impetus for further basic and application-oriented research in the field of carbon fibres", adds Prof. Chokri Cherif, Director of ITM and Professor of Textile Technology.

Prof. Jäger explains the scientific work of the RCCF to the guests.

The carbon fibre laboratory comprises a more than 300 m² clean room of the ISO 8 class. In addition to the two stabilisation and carbonisation lines installed at a height of about 30 metres, further areas are planned for future extensions of the overall facility, e.g. a further high-temperature furnace in which carbon fibres can be graphitised up to temperatures of over 2000°C or unique coating lines for surface activation.

The RCCF scientists are investigating the interactions between process parameters, fibre structure and other mechanical, thermal and electrical properties in the manufacture of carbon fibres in order to further enhance the capabilities of this high-tech material. In addition, the researchers are focusing on the development of multifunctional fibres with novel property profiles such as high conductivity with high strength or pronounced formability, as well as the use of renewable source materials.

Another focus of RCCF activities is the in-depth student training in the field of carbon fibre production. Students are taught in-depth knowledge of the production and further processing of carbon fibres so that they are available to the Saxon and German labor markets in this area of future technologies. About 15 students per year are involved in research areas such as process management, modelling and monitoring as well as the development, production and characterisation of new carbon fibres and composites.