Although carbon-carbon composites are excellent high-temperature structural materials and are employed extensively in many operating systems, such as aircraft brakes, high-temperature bearings and clutches, nozzles, exit cones, leading edges, satellite structures and thermal spreaders, research is needed to extend their use into different applications and environments, as well as to greatly reduce their cost. Our composites research focuses on low-cost rapid densification techniques for carbon fiber preforms, the use of nanophase materials in novel oxidation protection systems, as well as methods to enhance the interlaminar properties of these composites. Research is also being performed in the areas of nano-reinforcement of carbon fibers, control of wettability utilizing surface geometry, supercritical fluid deposition of refractory materials, and microtube technology. These microtubes can be made in various cross-sectional and axial shapes from practically any material. To date, microtubes with an ID as small at 0.1 microns have been fabricated, although the lower limit is thought to be 5 nm. Microtubes may be made free-standing or may form tubes or channels in monolithic bodies.

 

Keywords:

Carbon-carbon composites; High-temperature composites; Fiber composites; Microtubes; Microdevices;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants