Comparative study of differently textured pyrolytic carbon layers by atomic force, transmission electron and polarized light microscopy

摘要

Carbon/carbon (C/C) composites composed of carbon fibers embedded in a carbon matrix are currently used in high-performance break assemblies due to their unique combination of high temperature stability, wear resistance as well as corrosion resistance. Pyrolytic carbon obtained by thermal decomposition of methane is a particularly attractive matrix material with a degree of texture that can be varied within a broad range 1. The resulting texture strongly influences the macroscopic mechanical properties of composites such as flexural strength and toughness 2. There is, however, a lack of information on the relationship between the degree of texture of the wear behavior of pyrolytic carbon.