Structure and properties of fluorinated carbon fibers

The fluorination of carbon fibers results in a partial or total conversion of the carbon layers into CF layers. In constrast to the formation of intercalation compounds of carbon fibers, the fluorination causes considerable changes in the fiber texture which results in a marked decrease of tensile modulus and mechanical strength. The relationship between the structural changes and the resulting mechanical properties is studied by small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering.