On the oxidation resistance of carbon-carbon composites: Importance of fiber structure for composite reactivity Original Research Article

Three commercial carbons (an activated cloth and two rayon-derived carbon cloths) were used as substrates for the preparation of low- and high-temperature carbon-carbon (CC) composites by the liquid-phase impregnation/carbonization (LPIC) technique. A petroleum pitch was used as the matrix precursor. The carbon cloths were subjected to thermal treatment (in inert atmosphere) or activation (in CO2) prior to the preparation of the composites. In this manner, their porosity and surface area were varied over a very wide range. The oxidation resistance of both low-temperature and high-temperature composites and their individual constituents was investigated be nonisothermal thermogravimetric analysis. The structure of the starting and partially reacted composites was investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.