Effects of processing conditions on properties of carbon foam

摘要

A process has been developed for the production of reticulated open-cell foam composed of vitreous carbon. Foam presents an exceptionally high volume (98 % porosity) and a high surface area, combined with self-supporting rigidity. Foams properties can be modified by varying processing conditions. For example, carbon foam can reach density values between 0.05 and 0.5 and it can reach compression stress and Young modulus values, respectively, 8 Mpa and 1000 Mpa. Herein, we studied the effects of pyrolytic carbon and hafnium carbide deposition by CVD process on the final properties of the opencell foam. The results will be presented and discussed in terms of density and mechanical characteristics.