PLASMA PRODUCTION OF SILICA-MODIFIED GRAPHITE FIBERS

In this work, a method of modifying graphite fibers is reported. These decorations were produced by condensing silicon monoxide gas on the f ibers. This gas was produced by the reaction of silica and carbon in a plasma furnace. Several different product morphologies were observed. These included spherical and elliptical nodules, whiskers on nodules, whiskers and thin coatings. The diameter of the silica nodules was ab out 25-40 mum. The whiskers were about 5-20 mum in length and 0.1-0.5 mum in diameter, and the thin coating was about 1-2 mum in thickness. The mechanism of formation of these structures on the fibers is discus sed. These modified graphite fibers can increase the shear strength an d the surface area of the fiber.