Improvement, optimization and qualification for marketing purposes of the production of high temperature resistant fibers based on oxidation of PAN fiber

• Grant number: 15/50598-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: October 01, 2016
• End date: June 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering
• Agreement: FINEP - PIPE/PAPPE Grant
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Massi
• Grantee: Marcos Massi
• Company: Multivácuo Aeroespacial Ltda

Abstract

This proposal deals with the continuity of the projects funded by FAPESP in phases 1 and 2 of the PIPE program. At the end of the phase I, with the design and construction of a laboratory oxidation system that operates in discontinued way, it was possible to conduct proof of concept of thermo-oxidative process of polyacrylonitrile fiber (PAN) that is similar to the imported PANOx fiber process. These results gave the technical-scientific basis for the team to propose phase 2 PIPE project at FAPESP, in which was executed the design and the construction of continuous production plant with a nominal capacity of about 2000 kg/month. This production capacity was enough to produce oxidized PAN fibers with different physic-chemical characteristics (different degrees of oxidation) that were sent, as samples, to the textile and plastic industries to be tested in their processes and products. With this development, it was possible to provide sample to several national industries with raw materials that were only obtained by importation process. Among the industries that were distributed our samples, the industry that produce high-performance brake linings shown that their products presented an increase of 75 % in the lifetime, and are strongly interested in our oxidized fibers. The PAN fibers processed by Multivácuo Aeroespacial at different oxidation levels are already being sold to several national companies. However, to consolidate and expand the number of clients, there are the needs of the following improvements in the manufacturing process: i) establish a quality control processes in order to set different experimental conditions that provide fibers with different characteristics; ii) develop computer simulation that allows optimal heat flux distribution inside the oxidation process system, and thus optimize the energy consumption of processes to reduce the final price of products; iii) based on the simulation results, build a new oxidation process system with higher production capability to reduce production costs; iv) automate the process of production to make it more reliable; v) participate of technological fairs and events in order to disclose the product and the technology to the domestic and international markets. With the financial support of the PAPPE/PIPE program - PHASE 11I is intended to expand the productive capacity of Multivácuo Aeroespacial and establish a strict quality control of the production processes, putting the company at higher level of importance in the country. (AU)