Microstructure of the pyrocarbon matrix prepared by the CLVI process

The chemical liquid-vaporized infiltration (CLVI), a rapid densification technology that has received increased interest in the C/C composite fabrication, was applied to manufacture the two-dimensional carbon/carbon laminates. In this paper, the microstructures and textural characters of the pyrolytic carbon were examined by means of the polarized light microscope (PLM) and the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Nucleation and growth of rough laminar (RL) pyrocarbon, which resulted from the special densification situation and deposition condition of CLVI, was studied. Particular emphasis was put on the laminar-type morphology of the cone-like RL pyrocarbon. Moreover, both the nucleation on the substrate surface and the laminated growth with curved layers were deduced to contribute to this particular pyrocarbon microstructure.