Thermophysical properties of densified pitch based carbon/carbon materials—I. Unidirectional composites Original Research Article

Unidirectional carbon/carbon composites were developed using high-pressure impregnation/carbonization technique with PAN and pitch based carbon fibers of varying microstructure as reinforcements and different types of pitches as matrix precursors. The composites have been given final heat treatment to 2500–2700 °C. Microstructure of these composites has been evaluated using scanning electron microscope and polarized light optical microscope. Thermophysical properties, i.e., thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion and specific heat have been evaluated. It is found that the type of fibers and matrix present in the composites influences the absorption (specific heat) and transmission (conductivity) of thermal energy. The temperature dependence of thermal diffusion, specific heat, thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion has been studied and correlated with microstructure of carbon/carbon composites.