Carbon-Felt, Carbon-Matrix Composites: Dependence of Thermal and Mechanical Properties on Fiber Volume Percent

Carbon-felt, carbon-matrix composites were prepared by the chemical vapor deposition of carbon within carbonized viscose-rayon substrates. The thermal and mechanical properties of these carbon-carbon composites were investigated over a wide range (9-46 v/o) of fiber volume percent. In creases in fiber content resulted in: (1) decreases in both total porosity and pore size, (2) filament and matrix reorientation, and (3) reduction of the pyrolytic carbon matrix sheath thickness. Fiber content, and its inter related effects, are correlated with significant changes in flexural and ten sile strength and modulus, thermal conductivity and linear thermal expansion.