SBIR Phase I: Microwave Processing of Carbon-Carbon Composites

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will use microwave processing to produce higher performance carbon/carbon (C/C) composites. High performance C/C composites are typically very expensive as chemical vapor infiltration techniques are used that require extensive processing times. In this project, microwave processing will be used to produce temperature gradients where the core will be preferentially heated to promote densification from the interior to the surface. Microwave processing will also enable the growth of carbon nanotubes without introducing components that lead to strength degradation; and the in-situ growth of carbon nanotubes within the C/C composites will be investigated to produce more uniform, higher strength C/C composites. The development of lower cost carbon/carbon composites would be enabling to a multitude of industries requiring high performance friction components. As the cost of carbon fibers is escalating, lower cost processing techniques are required to make materials more cost effective. Society will benefit as energy consumption is reduced using microwaves since most of the input energy is coupled directly into the sample. The scientific value will arise from an understanding of the interaction and applicability of microwaves with different materials.