Effect of isotropic interlayers on the mechanical and thermal properties of carbon/carbon composites

Abstract Multilayer which consists of isotropic (ISO) interlayer and rough laminar (RL) and single RL structure carbon/carbon (C/C) composites have been prepared by isothermal chemical vapor infiltration at 5 and 1 kPa. Mechanical and thermal properties of both composites have also been studied. Experimental results indicate that ISO interlayer between fiber and matrix plays an important role on fracture behavior and strength of the composites. Comparing with single RL structure composites, the strength decrease of composites with ISO interlayers is about 28–40%. ISO interlayer is the main source of fracture due to its low density and micropores between crystallites. The low thermal conductivity of ISO interlayers also results in the thermal property degradation of obtained C/C composites. By reducing infiltration pressure, the ISO interlayers are substituted by compact RL matrix which improves the general properties of C/C composites.