摘要: Abstract The reasons for the interest of Royal Aircraft Establishment in carbon are given and a problem possible solution structure low density pyrolytic graphite outlined. Work on thermal accommodation coefficients some gases surface nuclear applications is described. chemistry formation high modulus fibres from polyacrylonitrile discussed it concluded that pyrolysis resembles fused ring heterocyclic compounds, nitrogen incorporated ladder polymer formed at about 220°C being slowly evolved as elemental above 600°C. It shown present strength PAN limited by macro defects such voids. Finally activation surfaces oxidative etching to increase interlaminar shear fibre resin composites