Tensile properties of VGCF reinforced carbon composites

Carbon composites based on vapor grown carbon fibers prepared by a fixed catalyst method were fabricated using a pitch infiltration technique. The composites have both unidirectional and bi-directional fiber reinforcement, and different fiber volume fractions ranging from 25% to 56%. Specimens were prepared from these composites for tensile testing at room temperature, and tensile modulus and strength were determined. The composite modulus was then used to estimate the fiber modulus.