Some Observations on Stress Graphitization in Carbon-Carbon Composites
Abstract
The in situ stress graphitization behavior of hard carbons in unidirectionally aligned carbon-carbon (C/C) composites was studied for three carbon fibers (PAN-based T-50, pitch-based PX7, and rayon-based WCA) and two carbon precursor resins (phenol-formaldehyde (SC1008), and polyarylacetylene (PAA), a high-char-yielding, low-shrinkage resin). Graphitization was followed by measurements of density, transverse thermal expansion, d-spacing by x-ray diffraction (XRD), and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In conjunction with xenon-ion etching, the SEM technique was found to be particularly effective in identifying localized regions of graphitized matrix. Results reveal that the graphitization of the composite is significantly greater than graphitization of fiber or matrix alone to the same temperatures. SEM observations indicate that graphitization is confined to the matrix, usually as a sheathlike structure adjacent to the fiber and 1-3 micrometers thick. Such localized graphitization, usually termed stress graphitization, is believed to be the result of thermally induced tensile or compressive stresses acting at the fiber-matrix interface. Debonded regions, which are believed to either initiate at heatup or grow from preexisting cracks in the resin-matrix composite, show less stress graphitization than well-bonded regions, presumably because the debond gaps impede stress buildup at the fiber-matrix interface.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 15, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA256819
Entities
People
- Gerald S. Rellick
- Rafael J. Zaldivar
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation