Assessment of geometrical and transport properties of a fibrous C/C composite preform using x-ray computerized micro-tomography: Part I. Image acquisition and geometrical properties

Raw and partially infiltrated carbon-carbon composite preforms have been scanned by high-resolution synchrotron radiation x-ray computerized micro-tomography. Three dimensional high-quality images of the pore space have been produced at two distinct resolutions and have been used for the computation of geometrical quantities: porosity, internal surface area, pore sizes, and their distributions, as well as local and average fiber directions. Determination of the latter property makes use of an original algorithm. All quantities have been compared to experimental data with good results. Structural models appropriate for ideal families of cylinders are shown to represent adequately the actual pore space.