C/C Composite 3D
Grade
also Carbon-Carbon
3D = 3D woven / orthogonal preform C/C
Choose when through-thickness strength and delamination resistance are critical (nozzles, throats, brake discs, re-entry structures).
Values for the 3D condition
Other C/C Composite tempers and conditions
C/C Composite is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at C/C Composite.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
needled carbon-felt preform, CVI/impregnation densified | Lowest-cost route for large furnace hardware (crucibles, heaters, guide cylinders) where stiffness matters less than thermal stability. | — | 90 | — | — | 20 W/m·K |
mesophase-pitch fiber, high thermal conductivity C/C | Pick for thermal-management / heat-spreader and high-energy brake duty where in-plane conductivity above 200 W/m·K is required. | — | 150 | 0.15 | 45 HV | 300 W/m·K |
3DThis page 3D woven / orthogonal preform C/C | Choose when through-thickness strength and delamination resistance are critical (nozzles, throats, brake discs, re-entry structures). | — | 180 | — | — | 50 W/m·K |
What is C/C Composite 3D?
C/C Composite 3D is C/C Composite in the 3D grade — choose when through-thickness strength and delamination resistance are critical (nozzles, throats, brake discs, re-entry structures). C/C Composite 3D has a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi), stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.4% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). C/C Composite 3D has a density of 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), lighter than 88% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,650°C (6,602 °F).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 2,500°C (4,532 °F), better than 98% of ceramic grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 0.4%, better than 96% of ceramic grades
- Lightweight — 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), better than 88% of ceramic grades
- Easy to machine — 25/100, better than 84% of ceramic grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 8 MPa·√m (7.28 ksi·√in), better than 77% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 99% of ceramic grades
- High embodied carbon — 55 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of ceramic grades
- Low stiffness — 70 GPa (10.2 Msi), worse than 79% of ceramic grades
C/C Composite 3D properties
Typical room-temperature values for C/C Composite 3D; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C/C Composite reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
C/C Composite 3D has a density of 1.85 g/cm³ (0.0668 lb/in³), lighter than 88% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,650°C (6,602 °F).
Mechanical9
C/C Composite 3D has a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi), stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.4% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal5
C/C Composite 3D is rated for continuous service to 2,500°C (4,532 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 70% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 1 µm/m·K (0.556 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
C/C Composite 3D has an electrical resistivity of 2×10⁻⁵ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 59% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C/C Composite 3D takes about 750 MJ of energy and emits 55 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
C/C Composite 3D's machinability is poor (25/100, better than 84% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C/C Composite 3D
Is C/C Composite easy to machine?
Machine dry with diamond/PCD or carbide tooling and strong dust extraction (respirable carbon dust); support laminates to avoid edge delamination and avoid interrupted cuts on coated parts.
Can C/C Composite be welded?
Not weldable — joints are made with carbonizable adhesives/carbon cement, graphite or C/C fasteners, or brazing to metals via SiC-coated interlayers.
Can C/C Composite be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape is set at the preform stage (fabric layup, needled felt, 3D weaving) then densified by CVI or repeated resin/pitch impregnation-carbonisation cycles and graphitised at 2000–2800 °C; no post-forming is possible.
What surface finishes work on C/C Composite?
Purification (halogen gas at high temperature) for semiconductor grades, and CVD SiC / Si-slurry or pyrolytic-carbon sealing coats for oxidation protection above 450 °C; surfaces cannot be plated or painted conventionally.
C/C Composite chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| ash (impurities)purified grades for semiconductor use <20 ppm ash | 0 – 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Si (coating, SiC-coated variant only)CVD SiC surface layer 50–200 µm, not part of bulk | — | — |
| Ccarbon fiber reinforcement + pyrolytic/resin/pitch carbon matrix | ≥ 99 (balance) | — |
C/C Composite 3D — frequently asked
What is C/C Composite 3D used for?
C/C Composite 3D is typically used for aircraft brake discs, rocket nozzles, hot-zone furnace fixtures and semiconductor susceptors. In short: highest service temperature carbon; tougher than monolithic graphite; strongest carbon material here.
What is the tensile strength of C/C Composite 3D?
C/C Composite 3D has a typical tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — stronger than 57% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is C/C Composite 3D easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, better than 84% of ceramic grades). Machine dry with diamond/PCD or carbide tooling and strong dust extraction (respirable carbon dust); support laminates to avoid edge delamination and avoid interrupted cuts on coated parts.
Can C/C Composite 3D be welded?
Not weldable — joints are made with carbonizable adhesives/carbon cement, graphite or C/C fasteners, or brazing to metals via SiC-coated interlayers.
What surface finishes work on C/C Composite 3D?
Purification (halogen gas at high temperature) for semiconductor grades, and CVD SiC / Si-slurry or pyrolytic-carbon sealing coats for oxidation protection above 450 °C; surfaces cannot be plated or painted conventionally.
Can C/C Composite 3D be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape is set at the preform stage (fabric layup, needled felt, 3D weaving) then densified by CVI or repeated resin/pitch impregnation-carbonisation cycles and graphitised at 2000–2800 °C; no post-forming is possible.
What is the maximum service temperature of C/C Composite 3D?
C/C Composite 3D is rated for continuous use to about 2,500°C (4,532 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.21: Composites — Carbon-Carbon Composites — ASM International (2001)
- Carbon-Carbon Materials and Composites — Noyes / NASA RP-1254 (Buckley & Edie) (1993)
- SIGRABOND carbon fiber reinforced carbon — SGL Carbon (2022)
- CX/CC series carbon fiber composite for thermal field — Toyo Tanso (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.