Carbon fiber composites have garnered substantial attention in various industries due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and versatility in applications. The conventional methods of manufacturing carbon fiber structures involve labor-intensive and time-consuming processes, making them costly and limiting their design possibilities. To address these challenges, this thesis explores the potential of digitizable fabrication techniques in revolutionizing the production of carbon fiber structures. This research embarks on a comprehensive investigation of the principles and methodologies behind digital fabrication technologies, such as weaving and laser curing, and their applicability to carbon fiber composites. The study delves into the intricate interplay between material science and digital fabrication, aiming to develop innovative strategies for the seamless integration of carbon fiber into digitally-driven manufacturing processes. This thesis also presents a detailed exploration of the design freedom and customization opportunities enabled by possible digital fabrication techniques, allowing for the creation of complex, lightweight, and highly tailored carbon fiber structures. This research demonstrates how digital tools can facilitate the optimization of carbon fiber component geometry to meet specific performance requirements, ultimately improving the overall efficiency of structures. To validate the feasibility and advantages of digital fabrication for carbon fiber structures, the research includes experimental case studies and prototyping efforts. These case studies involve the development of functional prototypes, showcasing the potential of digital fabrication to produce high-performance components for applications in aerospace. In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the evolving field of carbon fiber composites by providing a systematic exploration of the opportunities, challenges, and innovations associated with digital fabrication techniques. The research underscores the transformative potential of marrying cutting-edge digital tools with the exceptional material properties of carbon fiber, ultimately advancing the state-of-the-art in manufacturing and design in various industries.

No description available.

<p> Optical fibers are becoming so good that their optical and mechanical properties are fast approaching fundamental limits. It has also become evident that there is a requirement for establishing accurate and precise measurement techniques of these properties. The optical loss is the most important parameter characterizing fiber. This project reviews the subject of loss (or attenuation), its measurement and some of its subtleties. </p> <p> Presently at BNR there are two attenuation measurements made: (1) one is the LED steady-state attenuation at λ≅840 nm, which makes use of a "pigtail" launching fiber and (2) the second is the spectral attenuation from 600-1400 nm. Both measurement techniques were developed by the author and Dr. K. Abe during the summer work term and made considerable improvements in both accuracy and speed over previously established methods. Some of the subtleties of attenuation which were also studied during this period were the effects of different launch conditions, and environmental effects such as those caused by temperature and ice. The extensive temperature tests done on the fiber led to the change from "hytrel" and nylon as coating materials to the use of silicone (which is still in use at BNR).</p> <p> Throughout the paper, results of the measurements have been given for several types of fibers because some of them have very unique characteristics and applications. </p> <p> All of the data displayed for this project was gathered by the author unless otherwise noted.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

A spinning apparatus was built for the investigation of the phase-separation technique as applied to the production of polypropylene fibers from naphthalene solutions. The solutions were spun through a single 2.00 millimeter spinneret at compositions of 15 and 22 per cent polymer and at temperatures of 145 and 160°C. Linear velocities in the spinneret and draw ratios ranged from 0.125 to 0.277 meters per minute and from 759 to 2198, respectively. It was found that naphthalene could be extracted from the fibers by diethyl ether in less than one minute; however, this extraction was not necessary prior to properties testing because all of the naphthalene in the fibers exposed to air was lost by sublimation. Deniers of 14 selected fiber samples varied inversely with draw ratio and directly with solution composition in a range from 2.5 to 8.0. After the samples were cold-drawn 3:1, tests with a Scott Tensilgraph showed that tenacities, per cent elongations at break, and secant moduli varied directly with draw ratio in ranges from 0.9 to 1.6 grams per denier, from 50 to 150 per cent, and from 17 to 30 grams per denier, respectively. Per cent elongations at break also varied directly with solution composition. The fibers, in general, exhibited good hand, bulk, tangling, and self-crimping characteristics. Photographs of four of the fiber samples were made to show the tangling and crimp qualities. / Master of Science