Mechanical Properties of Matrix-Modified Carbon/Carbon Composites

A phenolic carbon matrix precursor was modified by adding pitch and graphite powders. The carbon yield from thermogravimetric analysis and normal carbonization experiments increased as the powder content increased. The carbon yield from real carbonization experiments was higher than that measured from TGA analysis because of the slower heating rate. The bulk density of carbon-carbon composites made with the different modified matrix systems was in the range of 1.35 x 10 ³ -1.41 x 10 ³ kg/m ³ . From the 3-point bending test, the effect of matrix modification was confirmed by the changes in the mechanical properties of the greenbody. As the powder content increased, the mechanical properties of the greenbody decreased. After carbonization, the mechanical properties of the carbon-carbon composite showed higher values than those of the carbon-carbon composites made with unmodified matrix precursors.