The Effect of Fractional Composition on the Graphite Matrices’ Porosity

Abstract

Synthetic graphite of complex fractional composition was mixed with phenolic resin as a binder and pore-forming component. The mixtures were pressed and subsequently heat-treated to obtain porous matrices. The structural transformations of phenolic resin by heating up to 900 °C in oxygen and inert gas media were studied and the patterns of amorphization of fixed carbon formed on the walls of the pore system during carbonization were investigated. We found regularities in the changes in matrix volume density in the function of the open porosity and the average pore diameter. It is shown that, in order to obtain graphitized carbon matrices with a density of 1 g/cm3 and an open porosity of at least 50%, it is necessary to introduce no more than 20% of phenolic resin into the molding powder with an equal content of 60, 100 and 250 μm graphite fractions. This allows for high intensity and completeness of bulk silicon infiltration.