Abstract: The invention resides in a novel ignition resistant activated biregional fiber that is extremely flexible due to the presence of an inner core of a thermoplastic polymeric composition in the fiber that is surrounded by an outer sheath of activated carbon. The invention also discloses a process for the manufacture of flexible activated biregional fiber(s) by heating oxidation stabilized biregional fibers or carbonaceous biregional fibers in an activating atmosphere for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to form an activated carbonaceous outer region in the fiber while the inner core of the fiber remain as a thermoplastic polymeric composition. The activated biregional fibers are particularly characterized by having a highly porous internal structure with an internal surface area of from about 50 m2/g to greater than 2000 m2/g depending on fiber diameter.

Abstract: A novel ignition resistant or fire blocking composite is disclosed comprising a multiplicity of biregional fibers with a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer, wherein each said biregional fiber comprises an inner region of a thermoplastic polymeric core and an outer region of a carbonaceous sheath, and wherein said biregional fibers are present in the composite in an amount of from 10 to 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the composite. In one embodiment, the multiplicity of biregional fibers are treated with up to 20% of a polymerizable silicone resin. In a further embodiment the thermoplastic or thermoset polymer is in the form of a sheet or panel and said multiplicity of biregional fibers are distributed throughout the polymeric matrix of the sheet or panel in an amount of from about 20 to 75%.

Abstract: An electrode is disclosed comprising a multiplicity of flexible biregional fibers, each fiber having an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric composition and a surrounding outer region of an electrically conductive carbonaceous sheath. The biregional fiber is derived from a biregional precursor fiber having an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric composition and a surrounding outer region of an oxidation stabilized sheath, and wherein the biregional precursor fiber is derived from a polymeric fiber comprising a single homogeneous polymeric composition, the flexible biregional fiber is particularly characterized by having a ratio of the radius of the core region with respect to the total radius of the fiber (r:R) of from about 1:4 to about 1:1.05 and a breaking twist angle of from about 4 to about 13 degrees. Also disclosed are secondary electrical storage devices employing electrodes of the invention.

Abstract: A novel flexible biregional carbonaceous fiber is disclosed comprising an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric material and an outer region of a carbonaceous sheath. The flexible biregional carbonaceous fibers are particularly characterized by having a ratio of the radius of the core region with respect to the total radius of the fiber (r:R) of from about 1:4 to about 1:1.05, a density of from about 1.45 to about 1.87 g/cm.sup.3, and a bending strain value of from greater than 0.01 to less than 50%. In a further embodiment of the invention, a biregional precursor fiber is disclosed having an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric material and an outer sheath region of a oxidation stabilized, thermoset polymeric material. The oxidation stabilized precursor fiber is characterized by having a density of from about 1.20 to about 1.32 g/cm.sup.3 The invention further resides in methods of making the biregional fibers.

Abstract: A novel flexible biregional carbonaceous fiber is disclosed comprising an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric material and an outer region of a carbonaceous sheath. The flexible biregional carbonaceous fibers are particularly characterized by having a ratio of the radius of the core region with respect to the total radius of the fiber (r:R) of from about 1:4 to about 1:1.05, a density of from about 1.45 to about 1.87 g/cm.sup.3, and a bending strain value of from greater than 0.01 to less than 50%. In a further embodiment of the invention, a biregional precursor fiber is disclosed having an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric material and an outer sheath region of a oxidation stabilized, thermoset polymeric material. The oxidation stabilized precursor fiber is characterized by having a density of from about 1.20 to about 1.32 g/cm.sup.3 The invention further resides in methods of making the biregional fibers.

Abstract: A novel flexible biregional carbonaceous fiber is disclosed comprising an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric material and an outer region of a carbonaceous sheath. The flexible biregional carbonaceous fibers are particularly characterized by having a ratio of the radius of the core region with respect to the total radius of the fiber (r:R) of from about 1:4 to about 1:1.05, a density of from about 1.45 to about 1.87 g/cm.sup.3, and a bending strain value of from greater than 0.01 to less than 50%. In a further embodiment of the invention, a biregional precursor fiber is disclosed having an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric material and an outer sheath region of a oxidation stabilized, thermoset polymeric material. The oxidation stabilized precursor fiber is characterized by having a density of from about 1.20 to about 1.32 g/cm.sup.3. The invention further resides in methods of making the biregional fibers.

Abstract: A novel flexible biregional carbonaceous fiber is disclosed comprising an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric material and an outer region of a carbonaceous sheath. The flexible biregional carbonaceous fibers are particularly characterized by having a ratio of the radius of the core region with respect to the total radius of the fiber (r:R) of from about 1:4 to about 1:1.05, a density of from about 1.45 to about 1.87 g/cm.sup.3, and a bending strain value of from greater than 0.01 to less than 50%. In a further embodiment of the invention, a biregional precursor fiber is disclosed having an inner core region of a thermoplastic polymeric material and an outer sheath region of a oxidation stabilized, thermoset polymeric material. The oxidation stabilized precursor fiber is characterized by having a density of from about 1.20 to about 1.32 g/cm.sup.3 The invention further resides in methods of making the biregional fibers.