Influence of heat treatment on physical–chemical properties of PAN-based carbon fiber

The influence of heat treatment at 1400 °C on physical–chemical properties of PAN-based high strength carbon fiber was investigated by means of TG, XRD, XPS as well as the tensile test. The results showed that heat treatment could improve the thermal stability and the degree of graphitization of carbon fiber and decrease the amount of functional groups on the surface. The tensile strength of carbon fiber was not found declined after heat treatment because the change of the microstructure caused by heat treatment was limited.