Effect of carbonization rate on the properties of a PAN/phenolic-based carbon/carbon composite

The effect of carbonization rate in a wide range (1,100 and 1000degreesC/min) on the properties of a PAN/phenolic-based carbon/carbon (C/C) composite was studied. The results indicated that the composite processed at a higher carbonization rate had a higher porosity level, more large pores and a more graphitic structure than that processed at a lower carbonization rate. After second graphitization the bending properties of composites carbonized at 1degreesC/min and 1000degreesC/min were comparable. The composite carbonized at 1000degreesC/min had the highest fracture energy. The composite carbonized at 100 degreesC/min showed the worst mechanical performance among three. The large increase in carbonization rate can be beneficial to the industry from an economic point of view. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.