Manufacture of Functionally Gradient Carbon-Carbon Composites

摘要

A high-throughput fabrication method for production of carbon-carbon composites is described. Utilizing robotic preform technology originally developed for producing glass-fiber reinforced automotive components a method is described for producing a functionally gradient carbon-carbon composite for aircraft and automotive brakes. Selective distribution of carbon fiber tow and binder in the preform using a robot allows thick composites to be optimized. Simulations of the fiber tow deposition process are performed to optimize the process. Preforms are processed in a resin transfer molding (RTM) process injecting synthetic pitch for densification of carbon-carbon composites to shorten the cycle time for composite manufacture. A key element of the process route is the optimization the time for needed to stabilize the synthetic resin used for RTM.