Non-thermal expanding spool for carbon fiber oxidation and method of producing same

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The disclosure concerns a non-thermal expanding spool for use in oxidation of green spun carbon fibers, subsequent to fiber spinning and prior to carbonization. The spool is a hollow tube formed of a mandrel from a multi-ply, multi-directional woven graphite cloth impregnated with thermosetting resin e.g. polyimide. Then a plurality of hoop fiber filaments are wrapped around it which also become impregnated with the thermosetting resin. The resulting tube or spool is then baked or cured at elevated temperatures. The baked spool is then provided with a large number of geometrically or randomly disposed holes or openings.