Preface

Carbon-carbon composites, which have been used extensively for missile applications, were a part of NASA's Apollo spacecraft heat shield system. The development of carbon-carbon materials began in 1958 and was nurtured under the U.S. Air Force space plane program, Dyna-Soar, and by numerous thermal protection systems developed by NASA for aerospace research.

The purpose of this book is to present data and technology relating to the materials and structures developed for the production of carboncarbon materials and composites. The text is composed of papers written by noted authors in their areas of expertise relating to the processes and production of these material systems and structures. The subject matter is arranged to lead the reader step by step through the materials processing, fabrication, structural analysis, and applications of typical carbon-carbon products. The information presented in the text is limited to data that can or has been published in the open literature including: fiber technology, matrix material, design of composite structures, manufacturing techniques, engineering mechanics, protective coatings, and structural applications using carbon-carbon materials and structures.

The editors thank the authors for their contributions of time and effort in the development of this book.

The use of trademarks or names of manufacturers in this book is for accurate reporting and does not constitute an official endorsement, either expressed or implied, of such products or manufacturers by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

John D. Buckley

NASA Langley Research Center

Hampton, Virginia

D. D. Edie

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

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