The present invention addresses the problem of suitably improving a treatment agent for a carbon fiber precursor in terms of the heat resistance and the effect of suppressing fusion between fibers during the step of flame-resisting treatment. This treatment agent for a carbon fiber precursor is characterized by containing a lubricant, the lubricant comprising a specific sulfur-containing diester compound and a specific sulfur-containing monoester compound.

A method of spreading fiber tows includes assembling a fibrous composite from a plurality of tows, applying an aqueous solution to the fibrous composite, freezing the fibrous composite after applying the aqueous solution, freeze drying the fibrous composite to remove water from the fibrous composite, and heating the fibrous composite after freeze drying to remove a cryoprotectant from the fibrous composite. The aqueous solution comprises water and the cryoprotectant and freezing the fibrous composite spreads filaments within the plurality of fiber tows.

A method of spreading fiber tows includes assembling a fibrous composite from a plurality of tows, applying an aqueous solution to the fibrous composite, freezing the fibrous composite after applying the aqueous solution, freeze drying the fibrous composite to remove water from the fibrous composite, and heating the fibrous composite after freeze drying to remove a cryoprotectant from the fibrous composite. The aqueous solution comprises water and the cryoprotectant and freezing the fibrous composite spreads filaments within the plurality of fiber tows.

Methods for the preparation of carbon fiber from polyolefin fiber precursor, wherein the polyolefin fiber precursor is partially sulfonated and then carbonized to produce carbon fiber. Methods for producing hollow carbon fibers, wherein the hollow core is circular- or complex-shaped, are also described. Methods for producing carbon fibers possessing a circular- or complex-shaped outer surface, which may be solid or hollow, are also described.

Methods for the preparation of carbon fiber from polyolefin fiber precursor, wherein the polyolefin fiber precursor is partially sulfonated and then carbonized to produce carbon fiber. Methods for producing hollow carbon fibers, wherein the hollow core is circular- or complex-shaped, are also described. Methods for producing carbon fibers possessing a circular- or complex-shaped outer surface, which may be solid or hollow, are also described.

The invention relates to a method for thermally stabilizing melt-spun PAN precursors. For this purpose, the invention provides a continuous method for producing a thermally stabilized multifilament thread made of a meltable copolymer of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), wherein a pre-stabilized multifilament thread is thermally stabilized and in the process at least temporarily stretched. The invention additionally relates to a thermally stabilized multifilament thread which can be obtained according to a corresponding method and to a carbon fiber which is made of the correspondingly thermally stabilized multifilament thread.

A cooling agent composition contains a 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid derivative represented by the following general formula (1). The symbol * represents an asymmetric carbon atom. X represents NH, N(ZAr.sup.2), O or S, Z represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, Ar.sup.2 represents an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent or an aromatic heterocyclic group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms which may have a substituent. Y each independently represents a methylene group which may have a substituent, and n represents an integer of 0 to 3. Ar.sup.1 represents an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent or an aromatic heterocyclic group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms which may have a substituent. ##STR00001##

A wettable SMS material for personal protective equipment, such as a SMS fabric that has been treated to improve the wettability and absorbency properties of the SMS fabric is provided. A treated SMS fabric for personal protective equipment can retain its durability, breathability, and comfort, and may also provide the fabric with wettability and absorption properties. An article for personal protective equipment formed from a wettable SMS fabric is also provided.

A wettable SMS material for personal protective equipment, such as a SMS fabric that has been treated to improve the wettability and absorbency properties of the SMS fabric is provided. A treated SMS fabric for personal protective equipment can retain its durability, breathability, and comfort, and may also provide the fabric with wettability and absorption properties. An article for personal protective equipment formed from a wettable SMS fabric is also provided.

A carbon fiber precursor treatment agent contains a smoothing agent that includes an amino-modified silicone, at least one onium salt selected from the group consisting of organic sulfuric acid phosphonium salts, organic sulfonic acid phosphonium salts, quaternary ammonium salts of an organic sulfuric acid having an alkyl group with not less than 3 carbon atoms in the molecule, and quaternary ammonium salts of an organic sulfonic acid having an alkyl group with not less than 3 carbon atoms in the molecule, and a nonionic surfactant.