Fracture mechanisms in microstrength testing of carbon artifacts

Abstract

Failure mechanisms in baked carbons prepared from oxidized needle-coke and a coal-tar pitch binder are examined in terms of their optical texture and microstrength. Models are presented which describe interfaces between binder coke and filler coke and the failure mechanisms at these interfaces. Crack growth can occur at the interface between binder and filler; crack growth can interconnect the fissured interfaces between oxidized filler coke and binder; crack growth can occur between binder and filler cokes across a wetted/ keyed interface.