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U.S. Department of Energy
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Surface studies of carbon fibers related to their use in carbon-carbon composites. Final report, 15 January 1992-15 July 1995

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:189852

The surface chemistry and topography of carbon fiber surfaces have been probed using a variety of surface analytical tools in order to understand the processes that effect the oxidation of carbon-carbon composites. Core and Valence Band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and other techniques were used to monitor the surface chemistry and topography of carbon fibers, with and without oxidation protective coatings. A special high vacuum apparatus was built to study surface oxidation at elevated temperatures in a chamber directly attached to a surface spectrometer. The valence band XPS spectra were interpreted by calculations that modelled the fiber surface and interfacial chemistry. The results of the project provide a better understanding of the inter facial chemistry associated with carbon fiber surface oxidation and protection. Protective films for the outer surface of the composite, and coupling agents that improve the oxidation resistance of the carbon fiber-carbon matrix interface are reported.

Research Organization:
Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, KS (United States). Dept. of Chemistry
OSTI ID:
189852
Report Number(s):
AD-A--299415/0/XAB; CNN: Contract F49620-92-J-0144
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English