Windmill blades made with carbon fiber composites

Carbon and Graphite Fibers

Since the inception of the carbon fiber industry, Harper has helped Pitch and PAN-based fiber manufacturers achieve new and greater heights.

Harper pioneered the design and development of commercial, ultrahigh temperature graphite element furnaces in the early 1940s. By the 1970s, Harper had gained a worldwide reputation for graphite element technology and was uniquely prepared to meet the challenges of designing and producing furnaces for large scale production of LT (low tensile), HT (high tensile), and HM (high modulus) carbon fibers.

Because of the high temperatures associated with graphite element furnaces, some systems have a reputation for consuming resources. Our equipment is exceptionally energy efficient, however. Our extensive experience has allowed us to incorporate material and design features that result in the conservation of energy, cooling water, and protective atmospheres.

Similarly, Harper has addressed the susceptibility of carbon and graphite materials to oxidation. Harper furnaces circumvent this problem through an extraordinary gas-tight design. The superior sealing system is further enhanced by Harper's unique purge chambers, which allow fibers to continually enter and exit an open-ended furnace without admitting air (oxygen) into the reaction chamber.

Advanced technology has made us the dominant supplier of graphite-element and other furnaces to the carbon fiber industry worldwide. We are committed to continued innovation and cooperation with procedures to meet the needs of challenging new applications.

Our vertical carbonizer used for pitch fiber processing

Pitch-Based Carbon Fibers

Harper has collaborated for several years with a leading world-class oil company in developing and scaling up a radically new and unprecedented high volume, pitch-based process. A dedicated Harper team developed, designed and built the entire thermal processing line from devolatilization to final carbonization. The thermal part of the process is scalable to yet higher orders of magnitude capacity plants, yielding product properties and economies of scale termed "Game Changing."

PAN-Based Carbon Fibers

Harper now offers complete PAN-based processing systems. For decades, the Harper name has been synonymous with advanced carbon fiber thermal systems and technology, due to our totally integrated supply, precise atmosphere and temperature controls, superior gas-tight designs and unique, energy-saving features.

Harper also offers vertical graphite HT Furnaces; novel, cost-effective graphitization technology; high modulus and other customization equipment; developmental single zone carbonization furnaces; and existing plant and equipment upgrading and retrofits. Above all, Harper is uniquely qualified to develop, design, and build groundbreaking proprietary, high volume carbon-based technologies and systems aimed at specific raw materials and final product properties, with speed and imagination.

Pan-based Carbon fibers