Production of carbon fibers from Castilla's crude-oil deasphalted bottoms

Abstract

Obtaining raw materials for the manufacturing of carbon fibers from Castilla's crude-oil deasphalted bottoms was achieved through thermal treatments carried out in inert atmosphere, at temperatures ranging from 573 K to 673 K. The deasphalted bottoms displayed isotropic characteristics. Deasphalted bottoms and thermally-treated fractions were characterized using elemental and thermo-gravimetric analyses; the softening point was also defined. The thermal treatment increases the C/H ratio, which is reflected in the softening temperatures. Thermally-treated fractions showed excellent behavior in the threading process and the obtained fibers were stabilized through air-driven oxidation. Once the fibers were stabilized, they were carbonized in inert atmosphere, at 1073 K and 1273 K. Results showed that when this raw material is processed, it has a performance rating of over 65%, and produces compact, infusible structures that may be classified as general-use carbon fibers.