Carbon-carbon composites by preformed yarn method

Abstract

The conventional techniques of manufacturing carbon-carbon(C/C) composites have reportedly encountered problems because the resulting C/C composites exhibit non-uniform properties such as bending strength and density. A novel method of manufacturing C/C composites by preformed yarns (PY) is used. The matrix powder consists of coke powders and the binder. The preformed yarn contains the matrix powders inside the carbon fiber bundle and coated on circumference with nylon-6 polymer. This preformed yarn is then chopped and hot pressed at about 600 C to get bars and pellets. These are again heat treated at 1500 C and further impregnated by one more pitch cycle, again heat treated at 2200 C. The tests for hardness, compression strength, Creep strength, resistance to oxidation, and fracture toughness are conducted on these pellets and bars. The micostructural analysis in SEM is done. These tests reveal that the properties obtained from PY method are superior to the properties obtained from any other conventional method.