Physicochemical Properties of Carbon Fiber Formulated\nfrom Melt-Spun Raw Asphaltene

One\nof the challenges\nin carbon fiber production centers around\nthe high cost of raw materials required for fiber precursors or complex\nproduction processes involving multiple steps. This research paper\ndelves into the utilization of asphaltene sourced from Alberta oil\nsands as an alternative precursor material that is low cost for carbon\nfiber production. We investigated the carbon fiber production process\nusing a blend of different asphaltene types via melt-spinning technology.\nCarbon fibers produced from asphaltene-based precursors exhibit an\naverage diameter of 12.66 ± 3.06 μm, an ultimate tensile\nstrength (UTS) of 524.07 ± 218.53 MPa, an elastic modulus of\n34.68 ± 15.61 GPa, and a strain at the UTS of 2.48 ± 0.97%.\nThe results validate the viability of asphaltene as a precursor fiber\nand highlight the potential of carbon fibers.