Improving the mechanical strength of carbon-carbon composites by oxidative stabilization

Abstract

Carbon/carbon composite has superior properties, so it has been expected to use various industrial fields. However, low mechanical strength (than conventional structural materials) works as a hurdle, so the use of oxidative stabilization to improve the mechanical strength of carbon/carbon composites was studied. The oxidation process was performed at 220-350 degrees C based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The compressive strength of the oxidized sample at 290 degrees C was 212 MPa, which is 2.5 times greater than that of the non oxidized sample (84 MPa). However, the oxidation temperature of more than 290 degrees C decreased the compressive strength (199 MPa at 350 degrees C). This tendency was in accordance with the TGA and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results. The effect of oxidative stabilization can be explained by two factors: the polymerization of the used binder pitch by the crosslinking effect by induced oxygen and improvement of the affinity between the coke and binder pitch. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.