Preparation and wear behavior of carbon/epoxy resin composites with an interpenetrating network structure derived from natural sponge

Natural sponge was used as the template to produce carbon/epoxy resin composites with interpenetrating network structure. Carbon with a network structure was first obtained by the pyrolysis of natural sponge. The composites were then obtained by injecting epoxy resin into the carbon. Their microstructures and wear properties were analyzed. The results show that the natural structure of sponge controlled the interpenetrating network structures of the carbon/epoxy resin composites. The carbon-network in the composites was shown to stabilize the coefficient of friction of epoxy resin. The carbon also reduces the wear rate of the epoxy resin remarkably. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.