Synthesis and characterization of high temperature nanoparticle-filled phenolic composite

Carbon/Carbon composites are one of the most useful materials in modern engineering applications, because of its high temperature strength, stiffness and light weight. In this article, by means of TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles, the carbon matrix of C/C composites is reinforced. For fabrication of C/C composite, phenolic polymer is used as a carbon precursor. This polymer is a mixture of novalac, hexamine, furfural and furfuryl alcohol that has good properties at high temperature. This polymer is cured and its flexural properties are obtained. By addition of different volume percentages of TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles, the flexural strength and stiffness and also the microstructures are investigated. The phenolic polymer and nanocomposites carbonized and then graphitized at the temperature of 1100°C and 1800°C, respectively. High temperature resistance of carbon and nanocomposite are tested by ablation test. The results show that by introducing TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles, ablation properties of nanocomposites are improved. The results are also showed that ZrO2 nanoparticles increased the strength and high temperature stability of composites better than TiO2 nanoparticles. The microstructures of nanocomposites in different stages are investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM).