The chemistry, morphology, topography of titanium carbide modified carbon fibers

Titanium carbide coatings were successfully applied on carbon fibers using reactive chemical vapor deposition approach. Chemistry, morphology, and topography of the TiC modified carbon fibers have been studied by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Uniform, adherent, crack-free and non-bridging coatings were obtained. After application of the TIC coating on carbon fibers, relief becomes more smooth and uniform. This is confirmed by decrease of the roughness parameter and the average height value of relief, as well as by decrease of scatter of measured heights. The coating consists of radially oriented crystals with high aspect ratio. Crystals are aligned in rows which are parallel to fiber axis. An increase in the tensile strength has been achieved by introducing the TiC coating on carbon fiber, the average strength and the Weibull modulus parameters were 2.55 GPa and 4.36 GPa, respectively. The obtained results can be useful for the predictive design of the well-matched interphase zone for composite materials reinforced by the TiC-coated carbon fibers. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.