In the early 1950s, the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the United States successfully trial-produced carbon fiber from viscose fiber. This product is used as ablation material for rocket nozzle and nose cone, and the effect is very good. From 65438 to 0956, the United Carbide Company of the United States successfully trial-produced high-modulus viscose-based carbon fiber, and the trade name "Thornel-25" was put on the market. At the same time, stress graphitization technology was developed to improve the strength and modulus of carbon fiber.
1879, Edison used cellulose fibers, such as bamboo, flax or cotton yarn, to make carbon fibers for the first time and obtained a patent. However, the mechanical properties of the fiber made at that time were very low, and the process could not be industrialized, which failed to achieve development.
In the early 1950s, due to the development of advanced technologies such as rocket, aerospace and aviation, new materials with high specific strength, high specific modulus and high temperature resistance were urgently needed. In addition, the precursor can be made into carbon fiber continuous filament after heat treatment, which lays the foundation for carbon fiber industrialization.