THE EFFECT OF OXYGEN PARTIAL-PRESSURE ON THE OXIDATION BEHAVIOR OF CARBON-FIBERS AND CARBON-FIBER GLASS MATRIX COMPOSITES

Carbon fibres were examined for oxidative stability, both in the as-re ceived condition and in a carbon fibre/glass matrix composite, to dete rmine the effect of oxygen partial pressure on their oxidation behavio ur. The oxidation data as a function of oxygen partial pressure (0.05, 0.21, and 1.0 atm) were then analysed to determine how the structure of the fibre surface impacts the oxidation behaviour. For the as-recei ved material, it was determined that the data are best described by Te mkin-type adsorption kinetics, while the fibres encased in the glass m atrix exhibited Langmuir-type kinetics. This relevance of this distinc tion is discussed.