Property enhancements via matrix microstructure modification of carbon-carbon composites prepared by CVI processing

Microstructure modification of carbon-carbon composites prepared by CVI processing was performed. Carbon fiber rods with 1.0 mm diameter were prepared using a typical pultrusion process, and three-dimensional rod-network preforms having 59% fiber volume were manufactures using the pultruted rods. For the purpose of microstructure modification of PC, fillers material were supplied as PC nucleation sites during the preform rigidzation stage. Densification of preforms was performed by thermal-gradient chemical vapor infiltration processing at 1100°C in pressure of 760 torr using methane without carrier gas for 120 hr. It was was found that in considering the effect of the fillers, the addition of fillers did not continue for density increment.