This study aims to find a correlation between XRD and Raman result of the oxidized high modulus carbon fibers as a function of its oxidation degrees, and compare with the isotropic carbon fiber reported early. La of the high modulus carbon fiber prepared by oxidation in carbon dioxide gas have been observed using laser Raman spectroscopy. The basic structural parameters of the fibers were evaluated by XRD as well. The La of the original high modulus carbon fibers were measured to be 144 a from Raman analysis and 135 a from XRD analysis. La of the 92% oxidized fiber were 168 a by using Raman and 182 a by using XRD. There was some correlation between the La value obtained from Raman and XRD. However the La value changes of the high modulus carbon fiber through whole oxidation process showed opposite tendency compare with the isotropic carbon fiber because of the fiber structure basically.
Structural changes of high modulus carbon fiber by oxidation in carbon dioxide gas using SEM, TEM, and XRD have been observed. It was shown that the originally high modulus carbon fiber is composed of highly ordered graphitic crystalline area and non-crystalline area. It was observed that the La increases during the whole oxidation process. It was shown that the oxidation of high modulus carbon fiber initiates at the non-crystalline area and at the ends of fiber. The large pores developed in fiber by direction of fiber length at high temperature (1,100℃), and the small pores developed on the fiber surface at low temperature (900℃). In conclusion, it is found that the oxidation of the carbon fiber was progressed through the imperfection.