Thermal transport properties of carbon–carbon fibre composites II. Microstructural characterization

Abstract
The microstructures of the composites for which thermal transport measurements have been reported have been studied. The shape, orientation and porosity distribution in the composites has been characterized by using optical and scanning electron microscopy. This shows that pores are always oriented parallel to the fibres but have a variety of shapes and aspect ratios. Transmission electron microscopy has been used to examine the structure of fibres and matrix. This has enabled the grain sizes in parallel and perpendicular orientations to be determined for both graphite constituents.