Study on the in situ growth of carbon nanotubes for the reinforcementof cf/sic composite fabricated by cvi+pip process

Cf/SiC composites were fabricated through in situ growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onthree-dimensional needle-punched carbon fabric via chemical vapor deposition and polymerimpregnation and pyrolysis process. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composites wereinvestigated. The flexural strength and fracture toughness were decreased due to the fiber volumefraction loss and much shorter pull-out length of fibers which was caused by the higher interfacialbonding strength between fiber and matrix after the growth of CNTs. Brittle fracture character ofCNTs was observed due to the strong interfacial bonding strength between CNTs and matrix. Theparallel thermal conductivity and perpendicular thermal conductivity were improved to 14.5% and8.0% respectively. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.