Improved high-temperature mechanical property of carbon-phenolic composites by introducing titanium diboride particles

Abstract

The effect of TiB2 on the thermal stability of phenolic and the role of TiB2 on the high-temperature mechanical property of carbon–phenolic composites are investigated by introducing TiB2 particles into phenolic, and then TiB2 particles into carbon–phenolic composites. The results show that the thermal stability of phenolic is enhanced by TiB2 additions. And the enhancement in thermal stability of phenolic exhibits a positive effect on improving the high-temperature mechanical property of carbon–phenolic composites. The flexural strength at 1000 °C of carbon–phenolic composites is increased by 148.2% after introducing 20 wt% TiB2 particles into phenolic matrix. In the heating stage before high-temperature mechanical test, TiB2 particles react with oxygen or oxygen-containing molecules released by phenolic pyrolysis. Therefore, amorphous carbon coated with glassy B2O3 and ceramic particles forms a new compact matrix. The well-bonded interface provides TiB2 modified carbon–phenolic improved mechanical performance at high temperature.