Intermediate Temperature Carbon/Carbon Structures

Carbon-carbon structures are traditionally designed and optimized for high temperature applications. They have very high temperature capability under inert atmospheric conditions but suffer from thermo-oxidative instability above ~700oF without oxidationprotection and result in poor mechanical strength. Nanoparticles based on either nanoclay or POSS materials in conjunction with tethering these nanoparticles will be introduced within the carbon-carbon composition prior to cure. The development of thenanocomposite phase within a resin matrix system results in outstanding property benefits such as improved mechanical strength, reduced thermal oxidation, among other improvements. Co-cure/co-carbonization of these resulting nanoparticle modifiedcarbon-carbon compositions is expected to provide improved and maintained mechanical strength by preventing the diffusion of oxygen (oxidation) within the resulting carbon-carbon composites (CCC). This will extend the capabilities of the current CCCmaterials with improved thermo-oxidative stability and long-term application at 700-1200oF with higher compressive/tensile strength in this temperature range. A nanocomposite phase combined with phenolic cyanate ester carbon-carbon carbon composites willbe formulated, fabricated, and tested for mechanical properties at room and elevated temperatures (700o to 1200oF) for 1000 hr. Improved thermo-oxidative stability, enhanced mechanical properties at elevated temperatures are expected. This new CCCtechnology will be able to replace titanium alloy applications with substantial weight savings.