Composite material
Also known as C/C composite, carbon fibre-reinforced carbon
A composite of carbon fibres in a carbon matrix, with a pyrolytic carbon interface. It keeps or improves its mechanical properties to very high temperatures but begins to oxidise above about 500 °C.
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Aircraft brakes have moved from organic and metallic materials to carbon fibre-reinforced carbon, which significantly reduces brake-system weight compared with steel brakes; the Boeing 737 NG brake system is given as 300 kg lighter than steel brakes.
Evidence support: Supported by the cited evidence one source
Evidence: Bisma 2022 Peer-reviewed
A carbon–carbon composite consists of carbon fibres, generally as non-woven fabrics, fibre webs or needled bundles, a pyrolytic carbon interface, a carbon matrix and a small amount of porosity; its mechanical and thermal properties are tailored through fibre orientation, volume fraction, yarn architecture, carbonisation temperature and densification technique.
Evidence support: Supported by the cited evidence one source
Evidence: Ruize 2025 Peer-reviewed
Carbon–carbon composites retain, and even improve, their mechanical properties above 2000 °C, but they begin to oxidise and fail at temperatures above about 500 °C in oxidising environments, which severely limits their use.
Evidence support: Supported by the cited evidence one source
Evidence: Ruize 2025 Peer-reviewed
Record last updated 2026-10-30. Corrections follow the published corrections policy; superseded claims are retained, never silently edited.