Analysis determines carbon fibre composition

Exeter Analytical has developed proprietary techniques based on its Model 440 CHN analyser to determine the percentage of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) in carbon fibre composite materials.

Carbon fibre reinforced materials (composites) bring a strength to weight ratio and rigidity in aerospace, automotive, firearms, marine and sports equipment manufacture, hence the need to accurately determine the composition.

Carbon fibres are difficult to completely combust and therefore analyse due to very high melting points. Advances in analysing carbon fibre composites on the Model 440 use a pure oxygen static combustion method to fully combust samples. Flash combustion alone is not adequate and can frequently lead to memory effects from uncombusted material, a common problem with vertical combustion CHN microanalysis systems which do not remove residue between each analysis.

The Model 440 has a horizontal furnace design, and software to control combustion parameters and achieve 100% combustion of carbon fibre samples and remove the residue between each analysis.

Author
Caroline Hayes

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