Processing of thermo-structural carbon-fiber reinforced carbon composites
doi: 10.5028/jatm.2009.0102231241

Luiz Cláudio Pardini*
Institute of Aeronautics and Space
São José dos Campos- Brazil
pardini@iae.cta.br

Adriano Gonçalves
Institute of Aeronautics and Space
São José dos Campos- Brazil
adriano@iae.cta.br

*author for correspondence

Abstract:

The present work describes the processes used to obtain thermostructural Carbon/Carbon composites. The processing of these materials begins with the definition of the architecture of the carbon fiber reinforcement, in the form of stacked plies or in the form of fabrics or multidirectional reinforcement. Incorporating fiber reinforcement into the carbon matrix, by filling the voids and interstices, leads to the densification of the material and a continuous increase in density. There are two principal processing routes for obtaining these materials: liquid phase processing and gas phase processing. In both cases, thermal processes lead to the formation of a carbon matrix with specific properties related to their precursor. These processes also differ in terms of yield. With liquid phase impregnation the yield is around 45 per cent, while gas phase processing yields around 15 per cent.

Keywords:

Carbon-carbon composites, Processing, Carbon fibers, Pyrolysis, Rocket nozzle throat.