Textural evolution of carbon/carbon composites during ablation

Textural changes of a 3D carbon/carbon composite after ablation in an arc jet heater were examined under SEM and TEM. It was shown that obvious enlargement of graphite crystallites was generally observed for both carbon fibers and matrix. A highly ordered graphitic ribbon - like texture was developed within a few nanometers of the ablated surface of the carbon fibers with gaps between the ribbons. Crystallites in the form of a round hollow column were pre sent in the matrix of the ablated surface. A ribbon like texture in the interface region near the side of the carbon fibers was observed.