Effects of heat treatment temperature on the friction performance of C/C composites

Carbon/carbon composites (C/C) were prepared by thermal gradient chemical vapor infiltration technology. The effects of heat treatment temperature on the graphitization degree, the hardness and the friction performance of C/C composites were discussed. The results show that the graphitization degree of C/C composites was enhanced with the increasing of the heat treatment temperature, at the same time, the space between graphite layers d₀₀₂ decreased and the thickness of the graphite crystallite L_C increased. The hardness of C/C composites was reduced with the increasing of the heat treatment temperature. With the increasing of the heat treatment temperature, the furrows on the surface of friction were filled with more and more the graphite crystallite fragment, so that surface of friction became smooth. As a result, the friction coefficient and brake torque decreased, and brake time increased.