Microstructure of carbon/carbon composites reinforced with pitch-based ribbon-shape carbon fibers

Abstract Carbon/carbon composites were prepared with ribbon-shape pitch-based carbon fibers serving as reinforcement and thermosetting PFA resin and thermoplastic pitch as matrix precursors. The composites were heat treated to 1000, 1600 and 2700 °C. Microstructural transformations taking place in the reinforcement, carbon matrix, and the interface were studied using polarized optical and scanning electron microscopy. The fiber/matrix bond and ordering of the carbon matrix in heat-treated composites was found to vary depending on the heat treatment temperature of the fibers. Stabilized fiber cleaved during carbonization of resin-derived composites. In contrast, fibers retain their shape during carbonization of pitch matrix composites. Optical activity was observed in composites made with carbonized fibers; the extent decreases with increased heat treatment of the fibers. Studies at various heat treatment temperatures indicate that ribbon-shape fibers developed ordered structure at 1600 °C when co-carbonized with thermosetting resin or thermoplastic pitches.