For this project I chose to do the lifecycle of Carbon Fiber. I chose to do Carbon Fiber because it is used in a range of things, from fighter jets to high end cars.
Raise and Extract
Carbon Fiber is composed mostly of carbon atoms . 90% of the carbon fibers produced are made from polyacrylonitrile. The remaining 10% is made from rayon.
Process
The process when making carbon fiber is that The precursor, which is the raw material, is drawn into long strands or fibers and then heated to a very high temperature with-out allowing it to come in contact with oxygen. Due to there not being oxygen the high temperatures do not cause the fiber to burn, instead it causes the fiber to vibrate violently and expel most of the non carbon atoms.
Manufacture
First the precursors pulled into long strands then put into an oven, then the fibers are then washed and stretched.
USE
Carbon fiber is used in the military, aerospace, sporting goods, and Automobiles etc.
Disposal
Carbon fiber is difficult to recycle.By its very nature it is neither biodegradable or photodegradable.
Sources:
www.Wiklpedia.com
www.redorbit.com
www.zoltek.com
www.Wiklpedia.com
www.redorbit.com
www.zoltek.com
Conclusion Questions
A.It means the time from which the material is extracted from the ground till it is disposed of.
B. To figure out the effects the material will have on the environment after it is disposed of.
C. I would change that the product is not biodegradable, so it won't sit in the environment for years before disappearing.
D. I think my product will become obsolete because scientists will come up with a new material that is stronger and lighter than the carbon fiber.
E. A trade off is a compromise
F.Yes because carbon fiber stays in the environment for years, but it is very strong and way very little.
G.It is important to recycle because recycling will help us decrease the depletion of our world resources.
H. product designers play a role in recycling because they can choose which materials they use to make their products.
I. Society can choose to recycle or not recycle
J. I can choose to recycle paper and stuff i choose to throw away.
B. To figure out the effects the material will have on the environment after it is disposed of.
C. I would change that the product is not biodegradable, so it won't sit in the environment for years before disappearing.
D. I think my product will become obsolete because scientists will come up with a new material that is stronger and lighter than the carbon fiber.
E. A trade off is a compromise
F.Yes because carbon fiber stays in the environment for years, but it is very strong and way very little.
G.It is important to recycle because recycling will help us decrease the depletion of our world resources.
H. product designers play a role in recycling because they can choose which materials they use to make their products.
I. Society can choose to recycle or not recycle
J. I can choose to recycle paper and stuff i choose to throw away.