Texture-inducing effect of SiC nanowires and their influence on thermal conductivities of carbon/carbon composites up to 1900 °C

SiC nanowire-modified C/C (SiCNWs-C/C) composites were prepared. The effects of SiC nanowires on the microstructures of pyrolytic carbon matrix (PyC) were illuminated and the thermal conductivities of SiCNWs-C/C composites were investigated from room temperature to 1900 °C. The results showed that SiCNWs exhibited a strong inductive effect for the formation of a high texture PyC layer in C/C composites. And the thermal conductivities of SiCNWs-C/C composites were higher than those of C/C composites in both parallel and perpendicular directions to the fiber axis. Especially, the thermal conductivity perpendicular to the fiber axis was significantly increased, which could be ascribed to the improvement of microstructures of pyrolytic carbon matrix.