H J3 Technology

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The history of carbon fiber dates back to the late 1800s. Renowned inventor, Thomas Edison, used carbon fibers as filaments for early light bulbs. Although these fibers lacked the tensile strength of today's carbon fibers, their considerable tolerance to heat made these fibers ideal for conducting electricity. Edison’s carbon fibers were made out of cellulose-based materials, such as cotton or bamboo, unlike the petroleum-based precursors used today. Carbonization took place by baking bamboo filaments at high temperatures in a controlled atmosphere. This is a method known as "pyrolysis," which is still used today. The resulting carbonized bamboo filaments were fire-resistant and capable of enduring the intense heat needed for incandescence. It wasn't until the late 1950's that high tensile strength carbon fibers were discovered. Rayon became the first precursors used to create these modern fibers. Ultimately, it was replaced by more effective materials such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and pitch. The benefits of these high-strength fibers were clear. They weighed a fraction of the weight of steel yet contained much greater tensile strength than steel. Another important benefit of carbon fiber was its high modulus, or resistance to stretching. This inelasticity plays an important role in reinforcing rigid structures such as the nose cones in hypersonic aircraft. The United States Air Force and NASA didn't wait long to capitalize on carbon fiber technology. Stronger and lighter planes began to emerge as carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) replaced heavy metals. These composites allowed aircraft to become faster and more efficient. Carbon fiber's high heat tolerance was also pivotal to building spacecraft that could withstand the intense heat of atmospheric re-entry. It is hard to imagine how many modern innovations would have been possible without this technology. The automotive industry has even used these composites to create faster cars with lighter bodies. Consider the NASCAR and Formula 1 race cars. Each of them has a body constructed from carbon fiber composites. New innovations for carbon fiber also include the latest sporting goods – snow boards, golf clubs, tennis racquets, & ultra-light bicycles – giving athletes an edge over the competition. New carbon fiber solutions are being developed every day to improve the quality of our lives. With a virtually endless array of applications, it becomes quite clear why Carbon Fiber is considered one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century, as voted by the National Academy of Engineering. HJ3 is committed to realizing the potential of carbon fiber technology and utilizing it to provide modern infrastructure solutions for industrial, commercial, and consumer needs. Through its affiliation with the University of Arizona Research Labs, HJ3 has paved the way for the composites infrastructure market by completing commercial-specific testing that validates the technology. The lab at University of Arizona offers large scale materials and component testing for a wide range of structures.

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