Novel low Wigner energy amorphous carbon–carbon composite

A novel amorphous carbon–carbon composite has been developed using carbon black dispersed in carbonized phenolic resin matrix in order to avoid Wigner energy problem associated with graphite. The as prepared sample showed a density of 1320 kg m−3. This has been further densified by resin impregnation and chemical vapour infiltration. The effect of processing parameters on final density (1517 kg m−3) has been investigated. This composite possesses the compressive strength of 65 Mpa, coefficient of thermal expansion of 3 × 10−6 K−1 and the specific heat of 1.2 J g−1 K−1. This novel composite was subjected to 145 MeV Ne+6 heavy ion irradiation at different doses. The highest dose was kept at 3 × 10−4 dpa. The stored energy in the composite was found to be 212 J g−1 at the highest dose of irradiation, which is much below than that of graphite. The composite remained amorphous after irradiation as confirmed by X-ray diffraction.