Preparation of C/C composites using n-butyl alcohol

Taking the n-butyl alcohol as precursor, N₂ as diluting gas, and 2D carbon fiber felt as preform, the carbon/carbon(C/C) composite samples were prepared by using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) method at the depositing temperatures of 1150°C. Variation law between depositing time and density as well as density distribution law in the preform was discussed. Three-point flexure was used to measure flexural strength of the material, and Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) used to observe structure and section morphology. The results show that medium-textured pyrolytic carbon is deposited as the first layer near the carbon fibers, while high-textured pyrolytic carbon deposited as second layer around first layer. Bending test shows that the C/C samples present pseudo-plastic fracture behavior and has excellent mechanical properties. This investigation results show that n-Butyl alcohol is a promising precursor in CVI process for the densification of high performance C/C composites.