20b Vapor Grown Carbon Fiber - Microfibrous Matrix Composites

Amogh N. Karwa1, Bruce Tatarchuk2, and Virginia A. Davis1. (1) Department of Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, 213 Ross Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5127, (2) Chemical Engineering, Auburn University, 230 Ross Hall, Auburn, AL 36849

The Center for Microfibrous Materials Manufacturing at Auburn University uses high speed, wet-lay paper-making processes to manufacture low cost, high performance three-dimensional microfibrous materials for filtration and catalysis applications. The incorporation of Vapor Grown Carbon Fibers (VGCFs) into these advanced materials creates new opportunities for high performance applications. VGCFs are being added directly to the sheet forming process with different microfibrous materials. The physical, pressure drop, thermal stability and electrical characteristics of the resulting sheets will be presented.