Patent ID: 9725314
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: B01J,B29B,B82Y,C08J,D01F

Claim:
1. A continuous process for producing a carbon nanotube reinforced continuous fiber preform useful in the manufacture of carbon nanotube reinforced composite articles, comprising steps of: (a) dispensing a continuous fiber preform from a spool; (b) dispersing a catalyst precursor in solution throughout the continuous fiber preform; (c) converting the catalyst precursor into catalytic particles, the catalytic particles dispersed throughout the continuous fiber preform; (d) continually moving the treated preform through a growth furnace; (e) contacting the continuous fiber preform containing the catalytic particles with a hydrocarbon precursor gas; (f) growing vapor grown carbon nanotubes (VGCNT) in situ from the catalytic particles dispersed throughout the preform, without vaporization of the preform; and (g) producing a spoolable carbon nanotube reinforced preform comprising a plurality of continuous fiber filaments, the filaments being at least one filament type selected from the group consisting of: quartz, glass, ceramic, metal, and carbon, wherein the VGCNT is infused within and among the continuous fiber filaments.