Technology Summary and Market Review

Abstract

Carbon-carbon composites consist of carbon fibres in a carbon matrix. The fibres may be chopped, continuous or woven and may be produced from rayon, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or pitch (mesophase or isotopic). The carbon matrix may be deposited by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), by the carbonization of a thermosetting or thermoplastic organic material or by a combination of these. The result is a family of composites whose microstructures and properties may be multi-dimensionally tailored to a great degree for a range of applications. Unlike metals and ceramics, carbon-carbon composites retain their strength at very high temperatures. High thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion give carbon-carbon materials an excellent resistance to thermal shock. A high heat of sublimation and low CTE for carbon and graphite result in good ablation resistance. Other advantages include chemical resistance, excellent high-temperature wear characteristics, biocompatibility, shape stability and pseudo-plastic fracture behaviour.