Formation of Carbon Fibres in High-Voltage Low-Current Electrical Discharges

A novel method to synthesize carbon fibres using low-current electrical-discharge plasma in hydrocarbon vapours is presented in the paper. The low-current arc discharge of positive polarity was generated between a stainless steel needle, and a nickel alloy plate, over a voltage range from 2 kV to 30 kV. The discharge was stabilised by a high series resistance (1 – 12.5 M'). The experiments were carried out in an argon atmosphere at normal temperature and atmospheric pressure. The arc discharge of current in the range of 1 to 4 milliamps was found to be a potentially effective method for the production of carbon fibres. The diameter of the fibres varied from about 20 to 120 μm with a growth rate of about 0.5 mm/s.