Chemical vapour infiltration of pyrocarbon is analysed with respect to
(i) the nature of the hydrocarbon (carbon source), (ii) the pyrolysis
chemistry and kinetics of homogeneous gas phase reactions, (iii) the
kinetics of heterogeneous pyrocarbon deposition reactions, (iv) pore d
iffusion in the Fick and Knudsen regime, (v) total pressure, (vi) init
ial partial pressure of the hydrocarbon, (vii) inert diluent gases and
(viii) hydrogen, both as reaction product and non-inert diluent gas.
The analysis shows aspects for the optimization of chemical vapour inf
iltration, and it clearly shows methane to be the ideal hydrocarbon fo
r various reasons. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd