Synergistic effect of spinning drawing and preoxidation stretching on the orientation structure of mesophase pitch carbon fibers

Mesophase pitch carbon fiber has shown remarkable prospects in specialty carbon material. The mechanical properties of mesophase pitch carbon fiber (CF) cannot be precisely controlled because of the difficulty of forming process regulation. The early forming of carbon fiber (precursor fiber (PF) and pre-oxidation fiber (OF)) is difficult to regulate, such as carbon microcrystal and carbon layer texture, while cause the irreversible growth of carbonization process. Herein, a synergy strategy of spinning drawing and preoxidation stretching is developed to optimize orientation structure, eliminate morphology defects and improve mechanical properties. A synergistic effect of superior spinning drawing and suitable preoxidation stretching is beneficial to adjust the more order rearrangement of carbon microcrystals. The tensile strength of carbon fibers with spinning drawing and preoxidation stretching is increased by 1.7 times, and their defects are reduced by 40%. The results show that the excellent mechanical property of carbon fiber is contributed by the extrusion stress caused by high oxidation crosslinked surface layer under tension, and the micro-flow and rearrangement of carbon microcrystals induced by extrusion stress. A mechanical strengthening mechanism of carbon fiber is proposed, which provides guidance for high-performance mesophase pitch carbon fiber.