Effect of preform architecture on the mechanical properties of 2D C/C composites prepared using rapid directional diffused CVI processes Original Research Article

The substrate architecture of carbon–carbon (C/C) composites has an effect on both the mechanical properties and the cost of the products. Four kinds of substrate materials, 1K and 3K plain carbon cloth, carbon paper, and carbon felt, were used in this study, and from them four different 2D preforms were produced, namely, 1K plain carbon cloth, carbon paper+1K plain carbon cloth, carbon felt+1K plain carbon cloth, 3K plain carbon cloth, using a spreading layer method. The preforms were densified using the rapid directional diffused CVI processes. A three-point bend test was used to investigate the influence of preform architecture on the flexural properties and microstructure of the C/C composites. The results show that all samples have an obvious pseudo-plastic fracture behaviour, and the macroscopic appearance of the bent fractured section shows as an Z shape. The samples prepared using 1K plain carbon cloth have a uniform microstructure, and consequently possess the highest flexural strength, while the composites produced from 3K plain carbon cloth possess the lowest value due to their poor microstructure and lower strength fibers. In general the flexural properties of the C/C composites are improved with an increase of the carbon fiber volume fraction in the preform. All the C/C composites manufactured from the four preforms fail by delamination when broken.