Preparation of siliconized graphite by liquid silicon infiltration of porous carbon materials

Siliconized graphite was prepared by liquid silicon infiltration (LSI) of carbon preforms composed of mesocarbon microbeads (MCMBs), petroleum coke and graphite powder as the carbon source with binder of phenolic resin. Effects of the carbon source, binder contents, ball-milling time and moulding pressure on the properties of the porous carbon preforms and the siliconized graphite were investigated. The results showed that the moulding pressure was the main factor influencing the open porosity of the carbon preforms. The carbon preforms with porosity of above 45% could be infiltrated completely with Si, and maximum open porosity of 56% could be reached for the carbon preforms. For the siliconized graphite, high MCMBs contents contributed to high density, while high graphite content led to increased carbon remaining. The densities, open porosities, and the highest bending strength of the siliconized graphite were ranged between 2.90-3.01g·cm^-3, less than 1.5%, and 317 MPa, respectively.