DEVELOPMENT OF 1-D CARBON COMPOSITES FOR PLASMA-FACING COMPONENTS

Carbon-based materials continue to be proposed and utilized as plasma- facing surfaces in fusion devices because of their low atomic number a nd superior high temperature thermal properties. This study presents r esults of a carbon-carbon composite development program for high heat flux surfaces using one-dimensional (1-D), high thermal conductivity m aterials. Thermal conductivity testing of six 1-D composites was accom plished, along with coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) tests. Resu lts indicate progress toward achieving composites with very high condu ctivity, approaching pyrolytic graphite values. Several 1-D composites have room temperature thermal conductivities which exceed 500 W/m K i n the parallel-to-fiber direction. Perpendicular-to-fiber direction co nductivity values were typically more that an order of magnitude lower . Experimental CTE data show values up to 10 x 10(-6)/degrees C perpen dicular to fibers and nearly zero values in the fiber direction. Mecha nical property testing will be included in future efforts.