EFFECT OF CARBON FABRIC TYPE ON THE MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF 2D CARBON CARBON COMPOSITES/

A stabilized PAN fabric was carbonized and graphitized from 800 degree s C to 2500 degrees C. Two-dimensional (2D) carbon/carbon composites w ere made using the stabilized PAN fabric, carbonized fabrics, and a re sol-type phenol-formaldehyde resin. These composites were heat-treated from 600 degrees C to 2500 degrees C. The influence of different heat -treated fabrics and heat treatments on the fracture and flexural stre ngth of these composites was also studied. The composite reinforced wi th higher heat-treated fabrics showed a lower weight loss than that wi th lower heat-treated fabrics. When the composites were graphitized at 2500 degrees C, the loss was 49.7 wt% for the composite made with sta bilized PAN fabric and 26 wt% for that with carbonized fabric at 2500 degrees C. Those composites also have a higher density than composites produced by other methods. Composites made with stabilized PAN fabric exhibited a strong bonding in the fiber/matrix during pyrolysis. This composite showed catastrophic fracture and a smooth fracture surface with no fiber pullout. Composites made with higher carbonized fabrics exhibited a weak interface bonding. These composites showed a pseudo-p lastic fracture pattern with fiber pullout during pyrolysis. Composite s made with carbonized fabrics at 2000 degrees C and 2500 degrees C sh owed the highest flexural strength at the prolysis temperature of 1000 degrees C. Composites made with carbonized fabric at 1300 degrees C s howed the highest flexural strength above 1500 degrees C to 2500 degre es C. The composite made with stabilized PAN fabric exhibited the lowe st flexural strength during pyrolysis.