Microscopy of composite materials based on carbon fibre

Abstract

The work is devoted to a composite material consisting of carbon fibres in a carbon pitch-based matrix. Due to its high wear and heat resistance, this material is widely used in aviation brake systems. Two samples with different impregnation of fibres were studied. It is shown that their tribological properties are different. A complex method of microscopy (optical, scanning electron, and scanning probe microscopies) was used to study the friction surface and inner structure of the samples. In the sample with the best properties, the fibres have a regular ribbed side surface, fibre bundles are located parallel to the friction surface, matrix around the fibres has a denser structure. It is also shown that in this sample wear rates of the fibres and the matrix are the same. Thus, a small change in the production process leads to a noticeable change in the structure, which determines the operational properties.