Development of highly graphitizable C/VGCF porous foams

C/VGCF porous foams composed of aromatic resin (AR) and Vapor Grown Carbon Fiber (VGCF) were developed for pre-form of Metal/C/VGCF composite with high thermal conductivity. The foams had continuous and homogeneous open cell network by pre-heat treatment at 460°C VGCF uniformly dispersed in carbon matrix of the foams. Pore size and bulk density of the foam could be controlled by temperature and pressure on pre-heat treatment. The C/VGCF foams possessed high compressive strength when the foams were graphitized at 3000°C. In addition, the graphitized foam exhibited low thermal expansion coefficient and high degree of graphitization. Consequently, the graphitized foam was expected for an ideal pre-form for Metal/C/VGCF composites with high thermal conductivity.