Mechanical and thermal properties of Cf/SiC composites reinforced with carbon nanotube grown in situ

A hierarchical Cf/SiC composite was fabricated via in situ growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) directly on three-dimensional needle-punched carbon fabric following polymer impregnation and pyrolysis process. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composites reinforced with CNTs grown in situ were investigated. The results show that the flexure strength and fracture toughness were improved by 15% and 8.7%. Brittle fracture character of CNTs is observed due to strong interfacial bonding strength between CNTs and matrix. The parallel thermal conductivity and perpendicular thermal conductivity are improved by 24% and 57% respectively.