CARBON-CARBON COMPOSITE WITH COAL-TAR PITCH-BASED MATRIX AND SIMPLIFIED MANUFACTURING METHOD

A novel method of carbon-carbon composite manufacture was designed and the possibility of its realization was proved. It is based on the con tinuous heat treatment at 450-500 degrees C of coal tar pitch which is soaked into carbon fibre bundle and on the subsequent hot press mould ing at 400-600 degrees C. It can bring a significant shortening of the manufacturing cycle and cost reductions can thus be expected. The uni directional composites prepared by this method reveal properties compa rable to those manufactured by other routes utilizing the pitch-based matrix. They reach flexural strength up to 350 MPa (or up to 400 MPa w hen using filtered pitch), Young's modulus 130-150 GPa and density up to 1,75 g cm(-3). Furthermore, the described method promises an easy r ealization at the industrial level and advantages incorporating into t he carbon fibre production process.