Fabrication and characterization of ultrafine graphite/carbon foam composites

Ultrafine graphite/carbon foam composites were prepared by direct pyrolysis of ultrafine graphite/mesophase pitch mixtures at high pressure, via foaming and carbonization process. Investigation was carried out to determine the effect on the structure and properties of the carbon foams through the addition of ultrafine graphite to carbon foams. The results have shown that less microcracks appeared in the carbon foam through the addition of ultrafine graphite to mesophase pitch matrix. The high specific compressive strength of 9.46 MPa was achieved with an addition of 10 wt% ultrafine graphite at heat treatment temperature of 2573 K. In addition, the thermal conductivity of the carbon foam increased with an increase in the additive amount of ultrafine graphite from 0 to 15 wt%.