THE EFFECT OF PYROLYSIS ON THE PROPERTIES OF STABILIZED PAN FABRIC REINFORCED PHENOLIC RESINS FOR 2D CARBON-CARBON COMPOSITES

Two-dimensional (2D) carbon/carbon composites were prepared with pheno lformaldehyde resin and a commercial stabilized PAN fabric. The effect of pyrolysis on the microstructure and flexural strength of the compo sites during the carbonization process was studied. The interaction be tween fabric and matrix inhibited the decomposition and the thermal fr agmentation, leading to a higher carbon yield for the final compositio n. Because of the formation of strong bonding in the fiber/matrix inte rface, the composites made with stabilized PAN fabric showed catastrop hic failure and low flexural strength below carbonization temperatures of 600 degrees C. Above 600 degrees C, the flexural strength of the c omposites increased with the increase in the carbonization temperature s, even when the fracture behavior showed catastrophic failure.