Densification behavior and performances of C/C composites derived from various carbon matrix precursors

Three types of carbon/carbon (C/C) composites were manufactured by densifying the needled carbon fiber preform through resin and pitch impregnation/carbonization repeatedly, as well as propylene pyrolysis by chemical vapor infiltration plus carbonization after the resin impregnation/carbonization. The densification behavior and performances (involving electric, thermal, and mechanical properties, as well as impurity) of the C/C composites were investigated systematically. The results show that besides the processing and testing conditions, the electric resistivity, thermal conductivity (TC), coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), strength, and fracture, as well as impurity content and composition of the C/C composites were closely related to the fiber orientation, interfacial bonding between carbon fiber and carbon matrix, material characteristics of the three precursors and the resulting matrix carbons. In particular, the resin-carbon matrix C/C (RC/C) composites had the highest electric resistivity, tensile, and flexural strength, as well as impurity content. Meanwhile, the pitch-carbon matrix C/C (PC/C) composites possessed the highest TC and CTE in the parallel and vertical direction. And most of the performances of pyro-carbon/resin carbon matrix C/C composites were between those of the RC/C and PC/C composites except the impurity content.