Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making porous carbon membranes and membranes which can made by this process. As starting material, a porous membrane from an acrylonitril-polymer is used. The starting material is pretreated with a hydrazine solution, followed by preoxidation and carbonization. The process enables carbon membranes to be made with selectively adjusted pore sizes and tight pore size distribution. The pore sizes can lie in the ultrafiltration or microfiltration range. The membranes are suitable for separation processes, in which chemically aggressive media are used and for high-temperature processes. They can be used wherever electrical conductivity of the membranes is required.

Abstract: A process for producing an acoustic diaphragm of carbonaceous material including the steps of impregnating nonwoven fabric or woven fabric of carbon fiber having a high degree of elasticity with a thermosetting resin, thermally molding it into a diaphragm shape, calcining the shaped fabric in an inert gas atmosphere to obtain a porous carbon molding, heating the porous molding to a uniform temperature, and depositing vapor phase, thermally decomposed carbon upon a surface of the porous molding. The deposited carbon is generated by thermal decomposition of a hydrocarbon-containing material introduced together with a carrier gas. The process produces an acoustic diaphragm having a dense surface layer of carbonized fiber-carbonized thermosetting resin-thermally decomposed carbon, and a porous interior of carbonized fiber bonded together by carbonized resin and the thermally decomposed carbon.

Abstract: A carbonaceous cylindrical body including a composite body of a carbonized material of a thin paper-like supporting body having a strength ratio of lengthwise direction to widthwise direction of 2 to 10 and obtained by manufacturing a paper-like body so that its carbonizable fibers are oriented and a carbonaceous matrix having an optically isotropic structure under a polarizing microscope and which shows a carbon content of at least 85% by weight, an oxygen gas permeation coefficient of 10.sup.-2 to 10.sup.-7 cm.sup.2 /sec. under a partial pressure of oxygen of 1 atmosphere and a bulk density of from 1.4 to 1.9 g/cm.sup.3. A process for producing the carbonaceous cylindrical body is also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing almost perfect graphite films and fibers at lower graphization temperatures wherein a film or fiber of a polymer selected from a defined group is subjected to a preliminary heat treatment at a temperature of 400.degree. to 700.degree. C., under tension, in vacuo or in an inert gas, and then heat treating the film or fiber at a temperature of at least 1600.degree. C. in vacuo or in an inert gas, to graphitize the film or fiber. The process can be modified to produce graphite films having excellent electric conductivity and mechanical properties, by heat treating a polymer selected from a second defined group at a temperature of at least 1800.degree. C. in vacuo or in an inert gas, impregnating the film with a binder component, and then heat treating the impregnated film at a temperature of not more than 1400.degree. C.

Abstract: Vehicles for ultraviolet radiation-curable ceramic enamels comprising (a) acrylate- or methacrylate- modified oligomers; (b) monofunctional acrylate- or methacrylate-modified monomers; (c) pentafunctional acrylate or methacrylate-modified monomers; and (d) a photoinitiator system for said polymerizable components; and the enamels prepared therefrom comprising glass enamels and the vehicles as described.

Abstract: A process for producing preoxidized fibers, which comprises preoxidizing acrylic fibers having a fluorine-containing surface active agent and at least one phosphoric surface active agent selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulae (I), (II) and (III), and preoxidizing the acrylic fibers thus-obtained: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 17 carbon atoms, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which may be the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxyethyl group or a hydroxyisopropyl group, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyethyl group.

Abstract: A process for producing a carbon product having coarse and dense portions, the process including producing an integral porous carbon having high strength and uniform porosity distribution with dense structure carbon moldings. The carbon moldings are produced by calcining in an inert gas atmosphere a composite of (a) a green molding, a precarbonized material or a carbide and (b) chlorinated vinyl chloride resin particles, the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin producing, when carbonized in an inert gas atmosphere, a coarse structure. Dense carbon is formed by carbonizing the green molding, precarbonized material or carbide. Thus, the carbon product has coarse and dense portions.

Abstract: Aqueous application systems for applying additives to polymeric particles, methods of preparing aqueous emulsions which include additives having a high melting point, additives having a low melting point and an emulsifiable wax. Also disclosed are methods of applying additives to polymeric particles and to polymeric particles treated by such methods.

Abstract: A process for preparing a protective coating which comprises applying a copolymer obtained by reacting at least one disilane of the formulaR.sub.2 R.sup.1 Si.sub.2 (OCH.sub.3).sub.3in which R represents the same or different alkyl, alkenyl or aryl radicals and R.sup.1 represents the same or different alkyl radicals, which may optionally be mixed with a compound of the formulaR.sub.2 Si.sub.2 (OCh.sub.3).sub.4in which R is the same as above, with at least one compound of the formulaR.sub.2 R.sup.2 SiHin which R is the same as above and R.sup.2 represents a methoxy radical or is the same as R, in the presence of at least one compound of the formulaMORin which R is the same as above and M represents an alkali metal, and a compound of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is the same as above, R.sup.3 represents the same or different alkenyl radicals, x is in the range of from 0.5 to 1.

Abstract: A process for forming a pattern film comprises irradating a predetermined area of a substrate with an ion beam while simultaneously having present a polymerizable or carbonizable organic compound to thereby polymerize or carbonize the compound upon the area, the compound having a vapor pressure at room temperature of 1.times.10.sup.-4 to 5.times.10.sup.-3 Torr. The process is particularly suited for correcting so-called white-spot defects in the manufacture of photomasks.

Abstract: A structure of a cellular carbon foam with metallic plating on the interior surfaces of its cells which structure may include other interior coatings such as rubber or similar compounds and the method for producing same.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making metal coated non-crystallized, amorphous glass fibers. The process fiberizes a glass containing a metal oxide such as cuprous oxide. The process then heat-treats the fibers to form a semi-conductive layer of copper oxide on the surface. A subsequent reactive reduction step produces a semi-continuous film of metallic copper. This is conductive enough for many radar applications.

Abstract: A heterogeneous glass silicone membrane is formed by reacting in situ a silane monomer and an aqueous catalyst solution. The polymerization reaction is controlled so that the polymerization occurs within the porous glass support member. This is caused by allowing the aqueous catalyst to permeate into the glass support member at the same time the silane monomer is permeating into the member from the opposite side. By controlling monomer amount, temperature, catalyst amount and the like the polymerization occurs under controlled conditions inside the support member.Further a molecular sieve can be formed by pyrolysis of the formed heterogeneous membrane. Both the heterogeneous membrane and the molecular sieve can be used in a separation of gases.

Abstract: Composites of flexible graphite particles and an amorphous carbon phase useful for applications such as valve packing end rings.

Abstract: A process is described in which hollow spheres or hollow-sphere composites (moldings) having high-strength walls are produced. Additional layers are applied to metallized spherical lightweight particles having a core of foamed polymer. In order to increase the strength of the wall of the spherical particle and the strength of the molding, metallized lightweight spherical particles having a metal wall thickness of 5 to 20 microns are treated (coated) with a dispersion of particulate metal or metal oxide or particulate ceramic or refractory material, the lightweight spherical particles coated in a thickness from 15 to 500 microns are dried, the dried particles are heated to a temperature of about 400.degree. C. to effect a pyrolysis of the polymer core, and the particles are subsequently sintered at a temperature from 900.degree. to 1400.degree. C.

Abstract: A flexible carbon material is produced by carbonizing a composite material comprising carbon fibers having an average length of 6 to 50 mm and a binding agent. Carbon lumps are derived from the binding agent and are dispersed in a matrix of the carbon fibers so as to restrain a plurality of the carbon fibers while yet permitting relative slippage to occur as between the carbon fibers and carbon lumps such that the carbon fiber material exhibits a flexibility ratio D/d of not greater than 200 (where D is the diameter of curvature of the carbon material, when bent, just before breakage, and d is the thickness of the carbon material). The carbon fibers and lumps are preferrably present in an amount of from 5 to 50%, and 5 to 70% by volume, respectively, based upon the total volume of the carbon material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode substrate for a fuel cell, wherein at least a part of the electrode substrate comprises a flexible carbon material obtained from a composite material comprising carbon fibers of not less than 1 mm in mean length which have been treated at a temperature of not lower than 1000.degree. C. and a binding agent, the electrode substrate being contacted with flow channels of a reactant gas and the flexible carbon material comprising carbon lumps derived from the binding agent which are dispersed in the matrix of the carbon fibers and restrain a plurality of the carbon fibers and the carbon fibers slidably held to one another by the carbon lumps.

Abstract: A non-inflammable fiber material and a process for producing the same are disclosed, said process comprising the steps of:obtaining thready materials, knitted goods, or woven goods, which are composed of a mixed yarn consisting of polymetaphenylene isophthalamide fibers of thermal decomposition temperature not smaller than 350.degree. C. and rayon fibers, or which are composed of 100 weight parts of a mixed yarn consisting of polymetaphenylene isophthalamide fibers of thermal decomposition temperature not smaller than 350.degree. C. and rayon fibers, and from 20 to 100 weight parts of a polymetaphenylene isophthalamide fiber yarn of thermal decomposition temperature not smaller than 350.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fibrous activated carbon including the steps of carbonizing and activating cellulose fibre at temperatures between 200.degree. C. and 1000.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere, characterized in that, prior to activation, the fibre is impregnated with an impregnating material comprising, in the form of one or more compounds, boron and at least one alkali metal.

Abstract: A molded product consisting mainly of silicon carbide and a process for mfacturing the same. This invention is to provide a product having a desired or complicated shape and a process which enables the manufacture of any such product at a drastically lower temperature than any conventional process. This object is attained by applying an organic silicon polymer having a skeleton composed mainly of carbon-silicon bonds by impregnation or adherence to a base material having a desired shape, and by burning the base material at a temperature of 700.degree. C. to 2,000.degree. C. in a vacuum or in a nonoxidizing gas atmosphere. The product of this invention has a fibrous, granular and/or firmly carbon structure in the matrix consisting mainly of SiC. The product of this invention is useful for a wide variety of applications, for example, for making heat-resistant structural members of electronic devices.

Abstract: A porous ceramic body is prepared by dipping an organic foam having a three-dimensional network structure in a ceramic slurry to deposit a sufficient amount of the ceramic on the surface of the foam, moving an excess of the ceramic slurry contained in the foam to the intended peripheral region of the foam by exerting centrifugal force on the foam, thereby causing denser ceramic deposition in the peripheral region than in the other region of the foam, and then drying, solidifying, and baking to burn out and dissipate the foam and simultaneously sinter the ceramics.

Abstract: A structure of bead-like material held together by a medium molded into a desired shape with interstices formed between the beads forming a useful structure which can be metallic-coated and method for producing same.

Abstract: Non-oxide refractory foams, possessing controlled permeability and uniformity, are prepared by impregnating an organic polymer foam material with a fluid, particulate slurry of a first refractory material, drying, applying to the dried, impregnated material a second refractory material which has a lower melting point than the first refractory material and thereafter heating, at a temperature sufficient to cause melt infiltration of the second refractory material into the impregnated material, thus producing inert and dimensionally stable composite refractory foams having broad utility as particulate filters or carriers.

Abstract: A pitch fraction for impregnating a carbon fiber reinforcing structure which represents the portion of a pitch which is insoluble in cyclohexane and soluble in pyridine.Also provided is a carbon fiber-reinforced carbon-carbon composite made by impregnating a multidirectional carbon fiber reinforcing structure with the above-described pitch fraction, carbonizing the pitch and graphitizing the resulting structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a shaped carbon article of low green or crude density and high porosity, in particular for heat insulation, by means of which it is intended to produce shaped carbon articles of actually any dimensions and configurations from comparatively inexpensive organic materials, also from waste products from the paper-making industry. According to the invention, this is done in that paper particles in platelet form having an average diameter of from 0.5 to 5 mm and an average thickness of from 0.01 to 1 mm and/or in strip form having an average length of from 5 to 100 mm, an average width of from 0.5 to 10 mm and an average thickness of from 0.01 to 1 mm, which include an ash content of from 0.005 to 5%, are impregnated with a carbonaceous binder, in that the paper particles are thereupon shaped to form an article and said article is then through a corresponding temperature treatment condensed, carbonized and optionally graphitized.

Abstract: A preoxidized fiber suitable for producing carbon fiber, comprising preoxidizing an acrylic fiber having thereon an ammonium salt of a fatty ester represented by formula [A] and [B] ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 11 to 17 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 can each be hydrogen, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxyethyl group, or an hydroxyisopropyl group; and X.crclbar. is an anion.The preoxidized fiber produced from the acrylic fiber has very little coalescence, and therefore high-strength carbon fiber can be obtained from this preoxidized fiber.

Abstract: An activated carbon product such as a charcoal cloth or felt has, in addition to any activating material, a metal uniformly dispersed therein. The metal may be catalytic or bactericidal, and a particularly preferred product of the invention contains silver and is suitable for use as a surgical dressing. Such products can be produced by a conventional activation procedure using a mixture of halides, even if the further metal halide is substantially insoluble in the impregnation solution used for activation, by incorporating in the solution ammonia and a sequestering agent such as citric acid.

Abstract: New porous semiconductor dopant carriers are disclosed together with a method for the diffusion doping of semiconductors by the vapor phase transport of an n or p type dopant, such as phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, boron gallium, aluminum, zinc, silicon, tellurium, tin and cadmium to the semiconductor host substrate; wherein the dopant carrier is comprised of a rigid, multiphase dimensionally stable refractory foam, formed through the impregnation, and subsequent thermal destruction of an open-celled organic polymer foam.

Abstract: A method of producing articles comprising reaction-bonded silicon carbide (SiC) and graphite (and/or carbon) is given. The process converts the graphite (and/or carbon) in situ to SiC, thus providing the capability of economically obtaining articles made up wholly or partially of SiC having any size and shape in which graphite (and/or carbon) can be found or made. When the produced articles are made of an inner graphite (and/or carbon) substrate to which SiC is reaction bonded, these articles distinguish SiC-coated graphite articles found in the prior art by the feature of a strong bond having a gradual (as opposed to a sharply defined) interface which extends over a distance of mils. A method for forming SiC whisker-reinforced ceramic matrices is also given. The whisker-reinforced articles comprise SiC whiskers which substantially retain their structural integrity.

Abstract: The process of making an article of chemically vapor deposited silicon nitride on a pattern at high temperature including the use of methane to reduce the grain size of the deposited compound.

Abstract: A fabrication method for use in making photocells consisting in depositing on the top face of a carbon ribbon (4) being moved horizontally in its lengthwise direction through an oven (9) a layer of silicon, said oven being imparted a vertical temperature gradient, and in burning away the portion of the ribbon supporting the silicon layer immediately following deposition of said layer.

Abstract: A blade member for cutting tools comprises a cermet substrate having on a surface thereof a reaction layer. The reaction layer is composed of carbo-nitride of at least two metals in groups IV.sub.A, V.sub.A and VI.sub.A, the metals including Ti. The reaction layer may be composed of oxy-carbo-nitride of the above metals. The reaction layer may consist of inner and outer layers, the inner layer being composed of carbo-nitride of the above metals while the outer layer is composed of oxy-carbo-nitride of the above metals. The blade members with the reaction layer exhibits excellent toughness, wear resistance and thermoplastic deformation resistance. There is also disclosed a process for producing the above blade member.

Abstract: Titanium diboride graphite composite articles are produced by mixing TiO.sub.2, petroleum coke and a binder to form a plastic dispersion. Articles are shaped by molding or extrusion and baked to carbonize the binder to form a baked carbon-TiO.sub.2 composite. The article is impregnated with a molten or dispersed boron compound, then heated to drive TiB.sub.2 forming reaction. The article is then further heated to a graphitizing temperature to form a graphite-TiB.sub.2 composite useful as a cathode component in a Hall aluminum reduction cell.

Abstract: A refractory compound structure comprising a substrate of a compound which is a combination of a refractory and/or metallic element and a nonmetallic element and an elemental layer of the refractory and/or metallic element on the substrate is formed by heating the refractory compound in a vacuum at a decomposition temperature for the refractory compound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reaction product of silica sand and of particulate carbonaceous material to form, silicon carbide on the surface of the carbonaceous particles and within the pores thereof, with the silicon carbide ultra-microcrystallites having a diameter of approximately 500 Angstroms and the composition comprising approximately 60% silicon carbide. The present invention is further directed to the process by which the ultra-microcrystallite silicon carbide product is made. In other preferred embodiments the ultra-microcrystallites of silicon carbide may be separated from the carbonaceous material by heat or physical methods to form a substantially pure ultra-microcrystallite silicon carbide product.

Abstract: A process for producing and intermediate layer between a high-melting dental alloy and a dental porcelain which comprises applying to said high-melting dental metal alloy a composition comprising.(a) at least a metal or a metal alloy which is thermally stable at a temperature of at least 800.degree. C.;(b) gold or a gold compound which decomposes to metallic gold, or a gold alloy;(c) at least one flux; and(d) aluminum and/or solver or an aluminum-silver alloy or a silver compound which decomposes two metallic silver, in a liquid vehicle (A) in which component (c) is at least partially soluble, drying the so-treated high-melting dental metal alloy and sintering said composition and thereafter treating the so-sintered composition with a liquid (B) in which the non-metallic components of said composition are at least partially soluble.

Abstract: Erosion and abrasion resistant refractory metal carbide articles are provided having multiphase alloy of borides including titanium boride, binder metal boride, and titanium-binder metal-refractory metal borides by diffusion of titanium initially to convert the refractory metal carbide to its constituents which are then reacted with boron, forming a new added surface in replacement of the original article surface, and bridging the original surface locus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite carbonaceous article formed of carbon felt fabric intimately linked to vitreous carbon.A carbonizable high carbon resin is cast or centrifuged onto a carbon or precursor felt fabric to form shapes which can then be baked to carbonizing or graphitizing temperatures.

Abstract: An oriented graphite layer is formed on a metallic substrate by providing a coating of particulate carbon thereon, heating the coated substrate in a non-reactive atmosphere to a temperature of between 800.degree. and 1350.degree. C. for saturational diffusion of carbon into the substrate and cooling to a temperature below about 200.degree. C., thereby providing a precipitated oriented graphite film at the surface of the substrate.The substrate may be formed by covering a copper or copper alloy member with a continuous layer of nickel, cobalt, nickel alloy or cobalt alloy. In another embodiment, the substrate with an attached graphite coating is spirally bonded onto a copper tube for use in the field of condensation heat transfer.

Abstract: An electrochromic display cell comprises two opposing glass substrates, transparent electrodes formed on the glass substrates, electrochromic layers formed on the transparent electrodes, and a liquid electrolyte disposed in the cell. The electrochromic layer is formed in the following manner. A metal compound such as tungsten chloride (WCl.sub.6) is dissolved in an organic solvent such as an alcohol to obtain an organic solution including hydroxide (W(OH).sub.6). The organic solution is painted on the transparent electrode and, then calcined to obtain the electrochromic layer including tungsten oxide (WO.sub.3).

Abstract: The life of AAS cuvettes coated with pyrolytic graphite is increased to more than 3000 injections when the coated substrata are additionally coated at least once with pyrolytic graphite, pyrolytic graphite layers having an overall thickness of 20-80 .mu.m then being applied.

Abstract: An electrically conductive composition and method for making same is disclosed. The composition includes a uniform mixture of electrically conductive particles comprising pyrolytic carbon doped or coated with a component taken from Group III-VIII elements of the Periodic Table and a curable, non-conducting polymer binder.

Abstract: Black, flame-resistant, substantially inert, non-conductive, flexible textile materials are produced by impregnating a scoured regenerated cellulosic textile material with a composition containing (a) a compound having in one tautomeric form, the general formula ##STR1## in which X is oxygen, sulphur or --NH--, and Z is --NH.sub.2, --NHGN, --NH.NH.sub.2, --NH.CO.NH.sub.2 or lower alkyl or X and Z taken together represent a trivalent nitrogen atom, and (b) an ammonium salt of an oxy-acid of phosphorus, heating the impregnated textile in an oxygen-containing gas to a temperature of 220.degree.-300.degree. C. until a black, flame retardant product is obtained and there has been a loss in weight based upon the original weight of the textile material, of 20% to 30%.

Abstract: A partially carbonized inert fibrous flexible textile material is obtained when a scoured textile material which is a blend of a fibrous acrylonitrile polymer and a fibrous regenerated cellulosic material is impregnated with an aqueous solution of salts which salts are either (a) an ammonium halide and a lower copper alkanoate or (b) an ammonium phosphate and an alkali metal bichromate, the impregnated material heated in a stream of an oxygen-containing gas at 150.degree.-250.degree. C. and then further heated in a stream of inert gas so as to produce a surface temperature on the fibres of 275.degree. to 325.degree. C. and thus rendered substantially uniformly inert.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving the heat transfer properties in boiling liquids of tubes and other surfaces by applying a very porous reticulated organic foam layer in contact with the tube surface, and then plating a thin metal coating on the foam substrate. Preferably, the tube is copper and the plating consists of a first electrolessly applied layer of copper and a second electroplated layer. The foam is preferably in the form of a thin tape which is spirally wound about the tube. Pyrolization of the foam after plating improves the heat transfer performance of the tube.

Abstract: Methods of producing high density, high strength, homogeneous graphite articles having densities of 2 or more and isotropic ratios of about 1.05 or less are disclosed. These methods achieve densification to levels above 2 g/cc yet take greatest advantage of increases in all structural properties and maintain isotropic quality. They involve impregnation of pre-formed isotropic graphite substrates of high density, having an isotropic ratio of 1.05 or less, 15 to 35 percent total porosity of which at least 50 percent is interconnected and open to the surface, average pore diameters of 1.5 to 5 microns, and narrow pore size distributions. A vacuum is drawn on the substrate after which it is contacted with highly fluid impregnant such as petroleum or coal tar pitch and then carbonized, baked and graphitized under conditions correlated to increase density without detectably modifying graphite matrix structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a drive wire hole in a ferrite toroid phase shifter pted to operate in the millimeter frequency range. The ferrite toroid is fabricated by the arc plasma spray process. A slab of boron nitride is initially bonded to the dielectric insert of the ferrite toroid and the ferrite powder is arc plasma sprayed on the composite boron nitride-dielectric structure. The formed ferrite toroid is then annealed, and during the annealing process, the boron nitride slab is completely sublimated to form the required drive wire hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fiber reinforced carbon and graphite articles that are characterized by a matrix of fibrous carbon material bonded together by a deposited pyrolytic material and having the residue of a carbonized filler material dispersed within the article in contact with the pyrolytic material.Fiber reinforced carbon and graphite articles are produced by(1) Forming reinforcing fibers into a shape without any binder material,(2) Infiltrating the fibers with a pyrolytic material in a manner to deposit pyrolytic material on the fibers and bond together the fibers, to form a bonded body,(3) Subsequently impregnating the bonded body with a carbonizable filler material, and,(4) Curing and carbonizing the filler material.The articles are substantially free of internal cracks and voids and are of high strength even at relatively low densities. As such, the articles are particularly useful in the aerospace industry where strong, lightweight materials are required.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving the heat transfer properties in boiling liquids of tubes and other surfaces by applying a non-conductive very porous reticulated organic foam layer in contact with the tube surface, and then electroplating a metal coating on exposed portions of the tube to build up a matrix of metal through the porous portions of the foam layer. Preferably, the tube is copper and the plating consists of an electroplated layer of copper. The foam is preferably in the form of a thin tape which is spirally wound about the tube. Pyrolyzation of the foam after plating provides a network of interconnected pores in the metal matrix which improves the heat transfer performance of the tube. The plated tube may also be swaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improving the heat transfer properties in boiling liquids of tubes and other surfaces by applying a very porous reticulated organic foam layer which has been precoated with graphite in contact with the tube surface, and then plating a thin metal coating on the foam substrate. Preferably, the tube is copper and the plating consists of an electroplated layer of copper which is applied over the conductive graphite coated foam. the foam is preferably in the form of a thin tape which is spirally wound about the tube. Pyrolyzation of the foam after plating improves the heat transfer performance of the tube. A method for applying the graphite to the foam is also disclosed.