Effect of weave parameters on thermal expansion coefficient of 4D in-plane C/C composites

The thermal expansion properties of the 4D in-plane C/C composites were predicted by combined FEM and the energy method. The validity of the prediction method is proved by comparing the prediction values with the experiment results. The effects of the changing of weave space and the diameter of fiber bundles on the thermal expansion properties of this material were predicted. The result shows that the thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of 4D in-plane C/C composite decreases with the increase of weave space. Moreover, with the increasing diameter, the thermal expansion coefficient in axial direction decreases, while the coefficient in radical direction increases.