Abstract: A power transmission-energy absorption device and carbon composite friction facing material for use therein having superior friction characteristics. Through appropriate selection of the starting carbon substrate material and through precise control over the amount and character of pyrolytic carbon, or graphite deposited interstitially of the substrate, the friction facing material can be optimized for a wide variety of applications. The material is particularly suited for use with cooling mediums, such as oil, and performs in an outstanding manner in heavy load, high temperature, hostile environments.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite product produced in accordance with a process in which yieldable, high strength carbon or graphite fibrous materials are formed into a substrate that has been optimized for final product application through the accurate control of its shape, cross-sectional configuration, density, fiber volume and internal fiber orientation. While constrained to the desired configuration, the optimized substrate is infiltrated with a pyrolytic material in a manner as to structurally bond together the fibrous materials which make up the substrate. The article thus formed is then densified in a controlled manner by further infiltration with pyrolytic material to the degree necessary to achieve the desired final product density.