Method of making carbon/carbon composites

摘要

Disclosed is a method of making carbon/carbon composites by pyrolytic conversion of a carbonizable liquid in a pre-formed graphite body to form an amorphous carbon reinforcing matrix. Graphite fabric saturated with a carbonizable liquid is formed into the shape of the desired end product body and placed in a flexible bag. The bag is evacuated to compress the formed body and the bagged body subjected to external pressure and heated. When the carbonizable liquid is heated to the curing temperature, the external pressure is reduced, causing volatile materials in the liquid to expand and form an interconnected pore structure. The formed body is thereafter heated to a temperature in excess of the curing temperature to further remove volatile materials therefrom. The cured rigid body is then transferred to a pyrolyzing furnace and rapidly heated in an inert gaseous environment directly to about 1500 DEG F. to pyrolyze the carbonizable material and form an amorphous carbon matrix.