This book considers advanced composite materials based on carbon fibers and several kinds of matrices and is divided into three main parts. The first presents an alternative way to process and prepare carbon fibers issued from either natural or artificial precursors. Recent achievements in carbon fiber technologies are introduced, including their main physical characteristics as high modulus or high strength type.
In the second part both classical and novel ways to prepare carbon matrices are presented. The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique as well as chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) inside a porous preform are analysed.
In addition, the liquid impregnation of a preform by a pitch or some other precursor is described. The associated C-C composites exhibit high thermal and mechanical properties, useful, for example, in aeroplane brakes and space rockets. Finally, other carbon based composites, with polymers or cement as matrices are explained including the role of interfacial characteristics as wetting or adhesions for their final application. This book will be of interest to engineers, graduate students and researchers in the field of solid state physics, chemistry and materials science.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203166787

Humans first used carbon as chars from firewood in ritual paintings and primitive metallurgical processes. Natural forms of carbon have been known since antiquity, yet the knowledge of the carbon element in chemistry and its technical applications on a larger scale are a relatively recent development. The industrial revolution in Europe two centuries ago led the way to the numerous applications of these graphitic forms that are still used today. Graphite and Precursors features short tutorial articles on different topics related to the science and technology of carbons intended for engineers, students of Materials Science and scientists who are seeking a fundamental understanding without "reinventing the wheel." This first volume of the World of Carbon book series focuses on graphite and its precursors, including its origin and various implications. The basic properties of hexagonal graphite are developed, and several theoretical and experimental approaches explain why this crystalline solid is fascinating in solid state physics. Also featured are the numerous applications connected to thermal, mechanical and chemical graphites, as well as their various industrial uses in polycrystalline form. Finally, carbon precursors are introduced.

Humans first used carbon as chars from firewood in ritual paintings and primitive metallurgical processes. Natural forms of carbon have been known since antiquity, yet the knowledge of the carbon element in chemistry and its technical applications on a larger scale are a relatively recent development. The industrial revolution in Europe two centuries ago led the way to the numerous applications of these graphitic forms that are still used today. Graphite and Precursors features short tutorial articles on different topics related to the science and technology of carbons intended for engineers, students of Materials Science and scientists who are seeking a fundamental understanding without "reinventing the wheel." This first volume of the World of Carbon book series focuses on graphite and its precursors, including its origin and various implications. The basic properties of hexagonal graphite are developed, and several theoretical and experimental approaches explain why this crystalline solid is fascinating in solid state physics. Also featured are the numerous applications connected to thermal, mechanical and chemical graphites, as well as their various industrial uses in polycrystalline form. Finally, carbon precursors are introduced.

The research of unitary concepts in solid state and molecular chemistry is of current interest for both chemist and physicist communities. It is clear that due to their relative simplicity, low dimensional materials have attracted most of the attention. Thus, many non-trivial problems were solved in chain systems, giving some insight into the behavior of real systems which would otherwise be untractable. The NATO Advanced Research Workshop on "Organic and Inorganic Low-Dimensional Crystalline Materials" was organized to review the most striking electronic properties exhibited by organic and inorganic sytems whose space dimensionality ranges from zero (Od) to one (1d), and to discuss related scientific and technological potentials. The initial objectives of this Workshop were, respectively: i) To research unitary concepts in solid state physics, in particular for one dimensional compounds, ii) To reinforce, through a close coupling between theory and experiment, the interplay between organic and inorganic chemistry, on the one hand, and solid state physics on the other, iii) To get a salient understanding of new low-dimensional materials showing "exotic" physical properties, in conjunction with structural features.

Molecular Magnetism: From Molecular Assemblies to the Devices reviews the state of the art in the area. It is organized in two parts, the first of which introduces the basic concepts, theories and physical techniques required for the investigation of the magnetic molecular materials, comparing them with those used in the study of classical magnetic materials. Here the reader will find: (i) a detailed discussion of the electronic processes involved in the magnetic interaction mechanisms of molecular systems, including electron delocalization and spin polarization effects; (ii) a presentation of the available theoretical models based on spin and Hubbard Hamiltonians; and (iii) a description of the specific physical investigative techniques used to characterize the materials. The second part presents the different classes of existing magnetic molecular materials, focusing on the possible synthetic strategies developed to date to assemble the molecular building blocks ranging from purely organic to inorganic materials, as well as on their physical properties and potential applications. These materials comprise inorganic and organic ferro- and ferrimagnets, high nuclearity organic molecules and magnetic and metallic clusters, spin crossover systems, charge transfer salts (including fulleride salts and organic conductors and superconductors), and organized soft media (magnetic liquid crystals and Langmuir-Blodgett films).

Molecular Magnetism: From Molecular Assemblies to the Devices reviews the state of the art in the area. It is organized in two parts, the first of which introduces the basic concepts, theories and physical techniques required for the investigation of the magnetic molecular materials, comparing them with those used in the study of classical magnetic materials. Here the reader will find: (i) a detailed discussion of the electronic processes involved in the magnetic interaction mechanisms of molecular systems, including electron delocalization and spin polarization effects; (ii) a presentation of the available theoretical models based on spin and Hubbard Hamiltonians; and (iii) a description of the specific physical investigative techniques used to characterize the materials. The second part presents the different classes of existing magnetic molecular materials, focusing on the possible synthetic strategies developed to date to assemble the molecular building blocks ranging from purely organic to inorganic materials, as well as on their physical properties and potential applications. These materials comprise inorganic and organic ferro- and ferrimagnets, high nuclearity organic molecules and magnetic and metallic clusters, spin crossover systems, charge transfer salts (including fulleride salts and organic conductors and superconductors), and organized soft media (magnetic liquid crystals and Langmuir-Blodgett films).

The research of unitary concepts in solid state and molecular chemistry is of current interest for both chemist and physicist communities. It is clear that due to their relative simplicity, low dimensional materials have attracted most of the attention. Thus, many non-trivial problems were solved in chain systems, giving some insight into the behavior of real systems which would otherwise be untractable. The NATO Advanced Research Workshop on "Organic and Inorganic Low-Dimensional Crystalline Materials" was organized to review the most striking electronic properties exhibited by organic and inorganic sytems whose space dimensionality ranges from zero (Od) to one (1d), and to discuss related scientific and technological potentials. The initial objectives of this Workshop were, respectively: i) To research unitary concepts in solid state physics, in particular for one dimensional compounds, ii) To reinforce, through a close coupling between theory and experiment, the interplay between organic and inorganic chemistry, on the one hand, and solid state physics on the other, iii) To get a salient understanding of new low-dimensional materials showing "exotic" physical properties, in conjunction with structural features."