Control of transversal texture in circular mesophase pitch-based carbon fibre using non-circular spinning nozzles

The transversal texture of circular-shaped carbon fibre was controlled by spinning the mesophase pitch through Y- or slit-shaped spinning nozzles. The flow direction of planar molecules along the non-circular nozzles was relaxed at their outlet into the circular shape, where the deformed texture was expected. Circular transversal shaped fibres with a random or a random-onion texture were successfully prepared by spinning the methylnaphthalene-based mesophase pitch through non-circular spinning nozzles. The spinning temperature which defines principally the viscosity of the molten pitch was the major factor to be controlled. Such carbon fibres exhibited greater strain to break and tensile strength than a fibre with a radial texture from the same pitch.