Technologies for producing syntactic carbon foams with specified operational properties

Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev–KAI, 420111, Kazan, Russia

^* Corresponding author: engelgalimov@yandex.ru

Abstract

Technologies for producing two classes of syntactic carbon foams of regular structure were developed: thermal insulating and heat-conducting foams with specific physico-mechanical properties designed for operation under extreme conditions. The possibility of controlled development of porous structure in carbon foams upon their production by selecting the initial components in the form of binders, hollow particles (microspheres) and various additives (solvents, etc.), their optimal combination and ratio, as well as operating parameters of thermal processing. Phenol-formaldehyde resins, melamine and coal or oil pitches filled with hollow particles in the form of phenolic and carbon microspheres were used as starting components for the production of carbon foams. Technologies for producing carbon foams include the sequence of the following stages: preparation and mixing of the starting components, molding of samples, carbonization, graphitization, pyrocompaction and mechanical processing. Thermal insulation foams were obtained using two technologies. The first technology for producing foams involves using phenolic microspheres and a binder in the form of a phenol-formaldehyde resin of the novolac type. The second technology for producing foams through template carbonization involves the use of high porosity melamine with cellular structure as a binder, and hollow phenolic microspheres.