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Carbon Carbon Composites

Carbon-carbon composites are materials made of carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix. They are fabricated using either liquid phase infiltration or chemical vapor deposition, which involves infiltrating a carbon fiber preform with a carbon-containing precursor then pyrolyzing and graphitizing it. Carbon-carbon composites have properties including high strength, stiffness, thermal conductivity and shock resistance, along with low density and friction, making them suitable for applications such as aircraft brakes and rocket nozzles.

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Abdullah Subbir
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108 views3 pages

Carbon Carbon Composites

Carbon-carbon composites are materials made of carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix. They are fabricated using either liquid phase infiltration or chemical vapor deposition, which involves infiltrating a carbon fiber preform with a carbon-containing precursor then pyrolyzing and graphitizing it. Carbon-carbon composites have properties including high strength, stiffness, thermal conductivity and shock resistance, along with low density and friction, making them suitable for applications such as aircraft brakes and rocket nozzles.

Uploaded by

Abdullah Subbir
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CARBON-CARBON COMPOSITES

Carbon-Carbon Composites are composite materials consisting of


a carbon matrix reinforced by carbon fibers.
 Structure of Carbon-Carbon Composites
 Fabrication of Carbon-Carbon Composites by Liquid Phase Infiltration process
 Fabrication of Carbon-Carbon Composites by Chemical Vapor Deposition
process
 Properties of Carbon-Carbon Composites
 Oxidation protection of Carbon-Carbon Composites
 Applications of Carbon-Carbon Composites

Structure of Carbon-Carbon Composites


Carbon-Carbon (C/C) Composites may be manufactured with different orientation of the
reinforcing phase (carbon fibers): unidirectional structure, bi-directional structure (cloth
made of multiple carbon fiber yarns), multi-directional structure (3D, 4D, 5D, etc.).
Multi-directional reinforcement provides maximum level of mechanical properties in the
directions of the woven structure.
The simplest multi-directional reinforcement consists of 3D orthogonal structure woven of
straight carbon fiber yarns.

Fabrication of Carbon-Carbon Composites by Liquid Phase


Infiltration process
 Preparation of carbon/Graphite fiber preform of the desired structure and shape.
 Infiltration of the preform with a liquid precursor: petroleum pitch/phenolic resin/coal
tar.
 Pyrolysis/carbonization (chemical decomposition by heat in the absence of Oxygen) of
the polymer precursor at 1000-1830ºF (538-1000ºC) under normal or high pressure.
 Infiltration – pyrolysis cycle is repeated several (3-10) times until the desired density is
achieved.
 Graphitization heat treatment. At this stage amorphous carbon is transformed into
crystalline graphite. The temperature of the treatment may vary within the range 2700-
5400°F (1500-3000°C). Typical graphitization temperature is 4530°F (2500°C).
Graphitization of carbon-carbon composites results in increase of Modulus of
Elasticity and strength of the composite.
Fabrication of Carbon-Carbon Composites by Chemical Vapor
Deposition process
 Preparation of carbon/Graphite fiber preform of the desired structure and shape.
 Densification of the composite by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technique. The CVD
process involves infiltration of the preform with a pressurized hydrocarbon gas (propane,
methane, propylene, acetylene, benzene) at 1800-2200ºF (982-1204ºC). The gas is
pyrolyzed forming carbon deposition on the fiber surface. The process duration is
determined by the thickness of the preform, through which the gas diffuses.
 Graphitization heat treatment. At this stage amorphous carbon is transformed into
crystalline graphite. The temperature of the treatment may vary within the range 2700-
5400°F (1500-3000°C). Typical graphitization temperature is 4530°F (2500°C).
Graphitization of carbon-carbon composites results in increase of Modulus of
Elasticity and strength of the composite.
Fabrication of Carbon-Carbon Composites by Chemical Vapor Deposition process results in
higher (as compared to Liquid Phase Infiltration technique) Modulus of
Elasticity and mechanical strength.

Properties of Carbon-Carbon Composites


 Excellent thermal shock resistance;
 Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion;
 High Modulus of Elasticity (up to 29000 ksi / 200 GPa);
 High Thermal Conductivity (about 700 BTU*in/(hr*ft²*ºF) / 101 W/m*K;
 Low density (about 114 lb/ft³ / 1.83*10³kg/m³);
 High strength;
 Low coefficient of friction (in the fiber direction);
 Excellent heat resistance in non-oxidizing atmosphere. C/C Composites retain their
mechanical properties up to 5432ºF (3000ºC).
 High abrasion resistance;
 High electrical conductivity;
 Non-brittle failure.

Oxidation protection of Carbon-Carbon Composites


The main disadvantage of Carbon-Carbon Composites is their low oxidation
resistance. Carbon materials react with Oxygen at temperatures above 900ºF (482ºC).

The following methods are used for oxidation protection of Carbon-Carbon Composites:
 Protection coatings. The ceramic coatings (commonly multi-layer)
of carbides, nitrides and oxides. Protection coatings may be deposited by Chemical
Vapor Deposition (CVD) (including pack cementation), Physical Vapor Deposition
(PVD) or Plasma spraying method.
 Impregnation of oxidation inhibitors: inorganic salts, borate and silicate glasses,
phosphates, boron oxides, polysiloxanes, halogen compounds.
 Replacement of the matrix material from carbon to SiC. C-SiC composites possess
excellent oxidation resistance.

Applications of Carbon-Carbon Composites


 High performance braking systems (eg. brake discs for high speed aircrafts);
 Refractory material (eg. protection tubes and grids);
 Hot-pressed dies;
 Heating elements;
 Turbojet engine components (eg. rocket nozzles).

Source : http://www.substech.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=carbon-
carbon_composites

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