Chemotronics International, Inc.

The Fluorocarbon Company

Christopher J Torbet

Clarence S Vinton

Warren A Rice

Henry C Geen

An improved process for providing a bond between carbon substrates using particles of a thermally stable solid is described. In particular, a laminate of a porous carbon substrate and a relatively non-porous carbon substrate using finely divided particles of a thermally stable solid which are in contact with and between both substrates is heated in the presence of a carbonizable gas, such as methane, in a chamber such that the gas contacts the carbon substrates and the particles so that a mutual coating of pyrolytic carbon is deposited on the exposed surfaces of all components and bonds them together. More than two carbon substrates can be bonded using the particles as interlayers between the substrates. The pyrolytic carbon coated composite products are particularly useful as electrodes.

Process for bonding carbon substrates using particles of a thermally

An improved method is described for thermally bonding contacting pieces of a thermoplastic material provided in a variable volume confined space surrounded by a combustible gas. The combustible gas is ignited and explosion diffused externally of the pieces of thermoplastic material and thus heats the pieces without damage sufficiently to produce interbonding when the heated pieces are compacted in the confined space. The heated pieces are compacted isostatically or non-isostatically using various apparatus which reduce the volume of the confined space. Preferably a moveable piston is provided in a cylinder to form the confined space for the pieces. The driving means for the piston can be a combustible gas which is ignited or non-combustible gas under pressure or a resilient means or other mechanical means. The products of the method are in the form of a porous mass composed of the interbonded pieces which are undamaged by the explosion.

Apparatus for the thermal bonding of contacting pieces of a

A method for preparing reticulate thermoset resin structures is described. Thermoset or thermosettable resin containing foams, prepared by a method wherein thin membranes dividing contiguous cells in a thin membraned, thick stranded thermoset or thermosettable resin foam with interconnected cells are produced, and are thermally reticulated. The foams are preferably thermally reticulated by providing a combustible gas mixture inside the cells of the foam and then igniting the mixture to destroy the foam membranes. The thermosettable or thermoset reticulate resin structures so produced are particularly useful for preparing carbon structures with the same geometry by heating at elevated temperatures under reducing, inert or vacuum conditions.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Christopher J Torbet