Researchers at MIT and other institutions have developed a novel method for producing carbon fiber from petroleum residues, a byproduct of oil refineries. This innovative approach could transform this low-value waste material into high-value, ultra-lightweight structural materials for use in automobiles, aircraft, and spacecraft.
Currently, petroleum residues are typically used for low-value applications such as asphalt or even disposed of as waste. The new process, however, uses this ultra-low-cost feedstock, known as petroleum asphalt, which is essentially the residue left over from the refining process.
The research shows that by adjusting the starting conditions, the carbon fibers produced can be not only highly tensile, but also highly compressible. This makes them suitable for load-bearing applications, opening up a wide range of possibilities for the use of these materials.
The U.S. Department of Energy has set a goal of reducing the cost of lightweight materials to less than $5 per pound. The MIT team estimates that their approach could achieve an even lower cost, around $3 per pound, making it a more economically viable option for various industries.
