Improved high-temperature mechanical property of carbon-phenolic composites by introducing titanium diboride particles

The effect of TiB 2 on the thermal stability of phenolic and the role of TiB 2 on the high-temperature mechanical property of carbon–phenolic composites are investigated by introducing TiB 2 particles into phenolic, and then TiB 2 particles into carbon–phenolic composites. The results show that the thermal stability of phenolic is enhanced by TiB 2 additions. And the enhancement in thermal stability of phenolic exhibits a positive effect on improving the high-temperature mechanical property of carbon–phenolic composites. The flexural strength at 1000 °C of carbon–phenolic composites is increased by 148.2% after introducing 20 wt% TiB 2 particles into phenolic matrix. In the heating stage before high-temperature mechanical test, TiB 2 particles react with oxygen or oxygen-containing molecules released by phenolic pyrolysis . Therefore, amorphous carbon coated with glassy B 2 O 3 and ceramic particles forms a new compact matrix . The well-bonded interface provides TiB 2 modified carbon–phenolic improved mechanical performance at high temperature.