Microstructure and mechanical properties of coal tar pitch-based 2D-C/C composites with a filler addition

In order to improve the flexural and the inter-laminar shear strength of co al tar pitch-based 2D-C/C composites, fillers (carbon blacks and colloidal graphite) have been introduced between the UD layers before the first infil tration of pitch. Matrix parts made of the filler/pitch-based cokes showed fine mosaic microtextures. They were found at the interface between the lay ers. Whereas the tensile strength is not affected, the flexural strength an d the ILSS were significantly increased by the addition of fillers. The ori ginal structure of the inter-layer matrix parts and the decrease of the num ber of flaws were found to be responsible for the improvement of the shear strength of the 0/90 degrees UD layers. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.