| CPC D01F 9/16 (2013.01) [C08L 1/02 (2013.01); C08L 33/20 (2013.01); C08L 97/005 (2013.01); D01F 9/17 (2013.01); D01F 9/225 (2013.01); C08L 2201/08 (2013.01); C08L 2203/12 (2013.01); C08L 2205/03 (2013.01)] | 21 Claims |

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1. A method for stabilizing precursor fibers for the production of carbon fibers, comprising the steps of:
continuously introducing, passing and removing the precursor fibers into, through and from a process chamber;
setting a predetermined process gas atmosphere different in composition from ambient air in said process chamber, said process gas atmosphere being below atmospheric pressure and containing air and/or pure oxygen as a reactive component and/or catalyst, the air and/or pure oxygen having a predetermined partial pressure;
while the precursor fibers are in the process chamber, heating the precursor fibers to at least a first temperature and maintaining the first temperature for a predetermined period of time, wherein the method is free from steps in which magnetic fields are applied to the precursor fibers in the process chamber.
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