ИСТИНА

Carbon-carbon composites (C/Cs) are the class of composite materials in which a matrix and a rein-forcement are different forms of carbon. C/Cs are not only retain mechanical strengths at high temperatures, but even increase it. One of the key features of C/C composites providing the most widespread application of these materials is the best tribological characteristics at high tem-peratures. The use of the brake discs made of C/C composites in heavy vehicles and airplanes allows to significantly reduce a braking distance. One of the most effective ways to obtain C/Cs is a carbonization of carbon-fiber reinforced plas-tics. Due to a relatively high char yield in combi-nation with low price phenolics became common polymer precursors to form carbon matrix for C/C composites. However high porosity and low mechanical properties after carbonization require several cycles of impregnation and carbonization to obtain material with suitable characteristics. Thus, a process of brake disc manufacturing takes about 6-8 month from CFRP to C/C compo-site with target characteristics. Phthalonitrile matrices demonstrate high char yields (70-80%). The development of low-melting resin formulations allows to use cost-effective CFRP processing by vacuum infusion or RTM. Accordingly, phthalonitrile res-ins are prospective precursors for carbon matrices in C/C composites.