In recent decades, there has been an increasing interest in the use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) in aerospace, renewable energy and other industries, due to its low weight and relatively good mechanical properties compared with traditional metals. However, due to the high cost of petroleum-based precursors and their associated processing costs, CF remains a specialty product and as such has been limited to use in high-end aerospace, sporting goods, automotive, and specialist industrial applications. The high cost of CF is a problem in various applications and the use of CFRP has been impeded by the high cost of CF in various applications. This paper presents an overview of research related to the fabrication of low cost CF using polyethylene (PE) control technology, and identifies areas requiring additional research and development. It critically reviews the results of cross-linked PE control technology studies, and the development of promising control technologies, including acid, peroxide, radiation and silane cross-linking methods.

• Kwan-Woo Kim(R&D Division, Korea Institute of Carbon Convergence Technology, Department of Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering, Chonbuk National University)
• Hye-Min Lee(R&D Division, Korea Institute of Carbon Convergence Technology)
• Jeong-Hun An(R&D Division, Korea Institute of Carbon Convergence Technology)
• Byoung-Suhk Kim(Department of Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering, Chonbuk National University)
• Byung-Gak Min(Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation)
• Shin-Jae Kang(R&D Division, Korea Institute of Carbon Convergence Technology, Department of Mechanical Design Engineering, Chonbuk National University)
• Kay-Hyeok An(R&D Division, Korea Institute of Carbon Convergence Technology)
• Byung-Joo Kim(R&D Division, Korea Institute of Carbon Convergence Technology) Corresponding Author