Abstract: This innovation provides for a revolutionary advancement in the area of very thick and very high thermal conductivity carbon-carbon (C—C) composites for both commercial and military. Novel, surface treated to achieve desired chemistry, exhibiting no agglomeration, carbon-based fillers are used enabling stable slurries up to 45 wt % solids to be used in the composite pre-pregging for 1-D and 2-D, 2-5 D and 3-D preforms infiltration. The need for carbonization is eliminated. No closed porosity C—C composites are produced. Up to 12? thick C—C composites with no density gradient and thermal conductivity in excess of 650 W/mK were fabricated via chemically induced graphitization.

Abstract: A method for processing a component is provided and includes masking a first portion of the component with a maskant. The maskant includes a slurry having a plurality of particles in a fluid carrier. The plurality of particles comprises at least one of silicon, carbon, one or more rare earth disilicates, monosilicates or oxides, and combinations thereof. The method includes depositing a silicon-based coating on a second portion of the component via a chemical vapor deposition process and removing the maskant and any overlying silicon-based coating from the first portion of the component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing the adhesion of CNTs to the surface of a material, including the following steps carried out under an inert gas current or currents optionally mixed with hydrogen: (i) heating the material including CNTs on the surface thereof in a reaction chamber, to a temperature of between 500° and 1,100° C.; (ii) introducing into said chamber a carbon source consisting of acetylene and/or xylene, in the absence of a catalyst; (iii) exposing the heated material to the carbon source for a period of time sufficient to ensure the production of a carbon layer of controlled thickness on the surface of said material and said CNTs covering same, as shown in the figure below; and (iv) optionally recovering the material thus covered after cooling, upon completion of step (iii). The invention likewise relates to hybrid carbon-coated reinforcements and to the uses thereof for preparing structural and functional composite materials or for preparing paints or varnishes and wires.

Abstract: A method for elaborating carbon nanotubes on a substrate is provided. The method may comprise a step for growing on the substrate the nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition by having a stream comprising a carbon source, a precursor source of an oxide compound and, optionally a catalyst source, pass over the substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating composite carbon nanotube structure is presented. A carbon nanotube array is provided. A first carbon nanotube structure is drawn from the carbon nanotube array. The first carbon nanotube structure is located on the substrate. A second carbon nanotube structure is grown on a surface of the first carbon nanotube structure to form a composite carbon nanotube structure. A composite carbon nanotube structure is also presented.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing carbon nanostructures is provided. A metalorganic layer is deposited on a substrate that has a deposition mask. The mask is removed, which also removes the portion of the metalorganic precursor deposited on the mask. The remaining portions of the metal organic layer are oxidized to produce a metal growth catalyst on the substrate that can be used for synthesis of carbon nanostructures.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a carbon structure including exposing a carbon fiber substrate to oxygen at a first predetermined temperature and activating the carbon fiber substrate by exposure to oxygen at a second predetermined temperature. A catalyst including palladium is deposited on the activated carbon fiber substrate. The deposited catalyst on the carbon fiber structure is exposed to a hydrocarbon at a third predetermined temperature to grow carbon structures thereon. The carbon structures grown can be multimodal in nature with structures that are nano-scale and/or submicron-scale.

Abstract: A method of making a showerhead for a semiconductor processing apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate; forming first holes in the substrate; forming a protective film on the substrate, where the protective film covers sidewalls of the first holes; and forming second holes in the substrate, where a part of the protective film within the first holes is removed. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate; forming islands on the substrate; forming a protective film on the substrate, where the protective film does not cover the tops of the islands; and forming holes in the islands.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite material part having carbon fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix, including making a coherent fiber preform of carbon fibers presenting holes formed from at least a first face of the preform, and densifying the preform by depositing therein a material constituting a matrix by means of a chemical vapor infiltration type process. The holes are formed by causing a plurality of non-rotary elongate tools to penetrate simultaneously, the tools being substantially mutually parallel and presenting on their surfaces roughnesses or portions in relief suitable for breaking and/or transferring fibers they encounter, the tools being caused to penetrate simultaneously by moving a support carrying the tools, and the tools being selected to have a cross-section that makes it possible to obtain in the carbon fiber preform holes that present a cross-section with a mean dimension lying in the range 50 ?m to 500 ?m.

Abstract: A method for fabricating composite carbon nanotube structure is presented. A carbon nanotube array is provided. A first carbon nanotube structure is drawn from the carbon nanotube array. The first carbon nanotube structure is located on the substrate. A second carbon nanotube structure is grown on a surface of the first carbon nanotube structure to form a composite carbon nanotube structure. A composite carbon nanotube structure is also presented.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high surface area per unit weight carbon electrode includes providing a substrate, depositing a carbon-rich material on the substrate to form a film, and after the depositing, activating the carbon-rich material to increase the surface area of the film of carbon-rich material. Due to the activation process being after deposition, this method enables use of low cost carbon-rich material to form a carbon electrode in the capacitor. The electrode may be used in capacitors, ultracapacitors and lithium ion batteries. The substrate may be part of the electrode, or it may be sacrificial—being consumed during the activation process. The carbon-rich material may include any of carbonized material, carbon aerogel and metal oxides, such as manganese and ruthenium oxide. The activation may include exposing the carbon-rich material to carbon dioxide at elevated temperature, in the range of 300 to 900 degrees centigrade.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of CVI densification in which particular arrangements and mixtures of undensified porous substrates and partially densified porous substrates are arranged in particular ways in order to use the thermal characteristics of the partially densified porous substrates to better distribute heat throughout a CVI furnace and thereby improve densification.

Abstract: The producing of shells of silicon carbide including CVD and CVI processes: A dense layer of silicon carbide is deposited upon the hollow shells, the shells being agitated during deposition to prevent sticking, bonding, or adhesion of shells to one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite carbon having a novel structure. This composite carbon has fibrous carbon which extends in the direction of the long axis, and multiple carbon nanotubes which are formed on the surface of the fibrous carbon and have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the fibrous carbon. The carbon nanotubes are formed as a group of multiple carbon nanotubes, with the lengthwise directions of each of the carbon nanotubes aligned in the same direction.

Abstract: Processes for the simultaneous and selective growth of single walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes in a single set of experiments are disclosed. The processes may include preparing a graphite electrode rod containing catalyst selected from Fe, Co, Ni, and a mixture thereof, acting as an anode. The process may include preparing another graphite electrode rod, each electrode having a distal and a proximal end. The process may include placing the above said two electrodes parallel to each other and their axis being substantially aligned in a chamber. The process may further include creating a DC-arc discharge inside the chamber by applying a DC-current voltage. The process may further include an cooling assembly having a cooling coil that surrounds the two electrodes. The cooling assembly may be used to maintain a temperature gradient that permits the depositing of single walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes simultaneously in one experiment.

Abstract: Economically attractive method of making carbon-carbon composite brake disc or pad. The manufacturing method herein provides lowered manufacturing cycle time and reduced cost of manufacturing while enabling increased density of the final composite. The method includes: providing a fibrous nonwoven fabric segment produced from high basis weight fabric; optionally needling sequential layers of the fabric segments together to construct a brake disc or pad preform; carbonizing the fibrous preform to obtain a carbon-carbon preform; and infiltrating the resulting carbonized needled fibrous fabric preform via pitch or pitch and CVD/CVI processing in order to produce a carbon-carbon composite brake disc or pad which has a final density of 1.60 to 1.90 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A carrier for an object, preferably a substrate of a semiconductor component such as a wafer, includes a receiving element for the object and gas outlets arranged below the receiving element along the object received. At least sections of the carrier are made of a material which including stabilizing fibers and having a porosity which forms the gas outlets, in order to enable a desired gas to exit from the gas outlets in a dosed and finely distributed manner.

Abstract: Method of making carbon-carbon composite brake disc or pad. The manufacturing method herein benefits from lowered manufacturing cycle time, reduced cost of manufacturing, and at the same time increased density of the final composite. The method includes: providing a fibrous nonwoven fabric segment comprised of OPAN fibers, the segment being produced from high basis weight fabric; providing a needler to needle layers of the fabric segments to one another; needling two layers of the fabric segments to one another and then needling sequential layers of the fabric segments on top of the layers thereof which have previously been needled together, to construct a brake disc or pad preform; carbonizing the fibrous preform to obtain a carbon-carbon preform; and infiltrating the resulting carbonized needled fibrous fabric preform via CVD/CVI processing in order to produce a carbon-carbon composite brake disc or pad which has a density of at least 1.70 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A carbon-nano tube (CNT) structure comprises a substrate and a plurality of CNTs, each CNT comprising a plurality of first CNTs grown perpendicular to the substrate and a plurality of second CNTs grown on sidewalls of the first CNTs. A method of manufacturing CNTs includes growing first CNTs on a substrate on which a catalyst material layer is formed, and growing second CNTs on surfaces of the first CNTs from a catalyst material on surfaces of the first CNTs. The second CNTs grown on the sidewalls of the first CNTs emit electrons at a low voltage. In addition, the CNT structure exhibits high electron emission current due to the second CNTs being used as electron emission sources, and exhibits uniform field emission due to the uniform diameter of the first CNTs. A display device incorporates the above-described structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for applying a tribological coating to a carbon composite substrate. The method includes providing the carbon composite substrate, depositing a layer of carbon on the substrate, applying a layer of aluminum on the layer of carbon, annealing the substrate at a temperature greater than a melting temperature of aluminum, and applying a layer of silver. A layer of mixed aluminum and silver may be substituted for the layer of silver.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel three-dimensional (3D) carbon fibers which are original (or primary) carbon fibers (OCF) with secondary carbon filaments (SCF) grown thereon, and, if desired, tertiary carbon filaments (TCF) are grown from the surface of SCF forming a filamentous carbon network with high surface area. The methods and apparatus are provided for growing SCF on the OCF by thermal decomposition of carbonaceous gases (CG) over the hot surface of the OCF without use of metal-based catalysts. The thickness and length of SCF can be controlled by varying operational conditions of the process, e.g., the nature of CG, temperature, residence time, etc. The optional activation step enables one to produce 3D activated carbon fibers with high surface area. The method and apparatus are provided for growing TCF on the SCF by thermal decomposition of carbonaceous gases over the hot surface of the SCF using metal catalyst particles.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures formed as bulk support media having carbon nanotubes formed therewith. The bulk support media may comprise fibers or particles and the fibers or particles may be formed from such materials as quartz, carbon, or activated carbon. Metal catalyst species are formed adjacent the surfaces of the bulk support material, and carbon nanotubes are grown adjacent the surfaces of the metal catalyst species. Methods employ metal salt solutions that may comprise iron salts such as iron chloride, aluminum salts such as aluminum chloride, or nickel salts such as nickel chloride. Carbon nanotubes may be separated from the carbon-based bulk support media and the metal catalyst species by using concentrated acids to oxidize the carbon-based bulk support media and the metal catalyst species.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing composite wheel beam key by: forming entirely from carbon fiber precursors or from carbon fiber precursors and ceramic materials a fibrous preform blank in a shape of a desired wheel beam key, wherein the fiber volume fraction of the preform blank is at least 50%; carbonizing the carbon fiber precursors; rigidifying the carbonized preform blank by subjecting it to at least one cycle of CVD; grinding the surface of the preform blank to open pores on its surface; and subjecting the open-pored preform blank to RTM processing with pitch. Also, carbon-carbon composite or carbon-ceramic composite wheel beam key produced by this process, having a density of from 1.5 g/cc to 2.1 g/cc and a maximum internal porosity of 10% or less.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a part out of impervious thermostructural composite material, the method comprising forming a porous substrate from at least one fiber reinforcement made of refractory fibers, and densifying the reinforcement by a first phase of carbon and by a second phase of silicon carbide. The method then continues by impregnating the porous substrate with a composition based on molten silicon so as to fill in the pores of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fibers of epitaxially grown single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and methods of making same. Such methods generally comprise the steps of: (a) providing a spun SWNT fiber; (b) cutting the fiber substantially perpendicular to the fiber axis to yield a cut fiber; (c) etching the cut fiber at its end with a plasma to yield an etched cut fiber; (d) depositing metal catalyst on the etched cut fiber end to form a continuous SWNT fiber precursor; and (e) introducing feedstock gases under SWNT growth conditions to grow the continuous SWNT fiber precursor into a continuous SWNT fiber.

Abstract: The selective growth of vertically aligned, highly dense carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays using a thermal catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) method via selection of the supporting layer where the thin catalyst layer is deposited on. A thin iron (Fe) catalyst deposited on a supporting layer of tantalum (Ta) yielded CCVD growth of the vertical dense CNT arrays. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed a Vollmer-Weber mode of Fe island growth on Ta, with a small contact angle of the islands controlled by the relative surface energies of the supporting layer, the catalyst and their interface. The as-formed Fe island morphology promoted surface diffusion of carbon atoms seeding the growth of the CNTs from the catalyst surface.

Abstract: A method for forming interphase layers in ceramic matrix composites. The method forms interphase layers in ceramic matrix composites thereby enabling higher matrix densities to be achieved without sacrificing crack deflection and/or toughness. The methods of the present invention involve the use fugitive material-coated fibers. These fibers are then infiltrated with a ceramic matrix slurry. Then, the fugitive material is removed and the resulting material is reinfiltrated with an interphase layer material. The ceramic matrix composite is then fired. Additional steps may be included to densify the ceramic matrix or to increase the strength of the interphase layer. The method is useful for the formation of three dimensional fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites envisioned for use in gas turbine components.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbon nanoparticles from fibers or tubes or combinations thereof, which have the morphology of macroscopic, spherical and/or spheroid secondary agglomerates, separated from each other. The invention also relates to a method for producing carbon nanoparticles by a CVD method using nanoporous catalyst particles having a spherical and/or spheroid secondary structure and comprising nanoparticulate metals and/or metal oxides or the precursors thereof as the catalytically active components. The inventive carbon nanoparticles are suitable for use in adsorbents, additives or active materials in energy accumulating systems, in supercapacitors, as filtering media, as catalysts or supports for catalysts, as sensors or as substrate for sensors, as additives for polymers, ceramics, metals and metal alloys, glasses, textiles and composite materials.

Abstract: Carbon-ceramic brake discs, the remaining porosity in which, after infiltration with a carbide-forming element and reaction of this element with at least part of the carbon in the preliminary body of the carbon-ceramic brake disc to form carbides, is at least partly filled with particles whose average diameter is in the range from 0.5 nm to 20 nm, and a process for producing carbon-ceramic brake discs with reduced porosity, wherein carbon-ceramic brake discs are treated with a solution of organic compounds of boron, zirconium, titanium, silicon or aluminum or mixtures of such compounds, the cited organic compounds being present as sols in an organic solvent, after removal from the sol bath the brake discs treated in this way are dried in an oven at a heating rate of between 30 K/h and 300 K/h under air or protective gas and are then tempered at a final temperature of between 350° C. and 800° C.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing shaped bodies including carbon fiber reinforced carbon in which the fibers are present in the form of bundles having a defined length, width and thickness. The defined configuration of the fibers in the bundles allows a targeted configuration of the reinforcing fibers in the carbon matrix and thus a structure of the reinforcement which matches the stress of shaped bodies including carbon fiber reinforced carbon, for example brake disks. A shaped body produced according to the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A method of coating a ceramic matrix composite fiber is disclosed. The method includes passing the composite fiber through a reaction zone along a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the reaction zone. It also includes passing a flow of a fiber coating reactant through the reaction zone. Further, the method includes disrupting a portion of the flow of the fiber coating reactant from a path substantially parallel to a fiber path to create a mixing flow adjacent the composite fiber.

Abstract: A process for producing-vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) reinforced continuous fiber performs for the manufacture of articles with useful mechanical, electrical, and thermal characteristics is disclosed. Continuous fiber preforms are treated with a catalyst or catalyst precursor and processed to yield VGCF produced in situ resulting in a highly entangled mass of VGCF infused with the continuous fiber preform. The resulting continuous fiber preforms are high in volume fraction of VGCF and exhibit high surface area useful for many applications. Furthermore, this invention provides for a continuous fiber preform infused with VGCF so that the carbon nanofibers are always contained within the fiber preform. This eliminates the processing steps for isolated carbon nanofibers reported in other carbon nanofiber composite approaches and therefore greatly reduces risk of environmental release and exposure to carbon nanofibers.

Abstract: Method for densifying a porous carbon preform (5). The method includes the steps of: (a) providing the apparatus (11); (b) charging the apparatus (11) with a plurality of stacks of annular porous carbon preforms (5), the preforms being separated from one another by spacers (15); (c) locating the charged apparatus (11) in a furnace at a temperature in the range of 950-1100° C. and a pressure in the range of 5-40 torr; and (d) circulating a natural gas reactant blended with up to 15% propane through the apparatus for a period of from 150 to 900 hours. Carbon-carbon composite preforms made by this method may be configured as aircraft landing system brake discs or racing car brake discs.

Abstract: A method for making a ceramic matrix composite turbine engine component, wherein the method includes providing a plurality of biased ceramic plies, wherein each biased ply comprises ceramic fiber tows, the tows being woven in a first warp direction and a second weft direction, the second weft direction lying at a preselected angular orientation with respect to the first warp direction, wherein a greater number of tows are woven in the first warp direction than in the second weft direction. The plurality of biased plies are laid up in a preselected arrangement to form the component, and a preselected number of the plurality of biased plies are oriented such that the orientation of the first warp direction of the plies lie about in the direction of maximum tensile stress during normal engine operation. A coating is applied to the plurality of biased plies. The coated component preform is then densified.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon fiber-carbon matrix reinforced ceramic composite wherein the result is a carbon fiber-carbon matrix reinforcement is embedded within a ceramic matrix. The ceramic matrix does not penetrate into the carbon fiber-carbon matrix reinforcement to any significant degree. The carbide matrix is a formed in situ solid carbide of at least one metal having a melting point above about 1850 degrees centigrade. At least when the composite is intended to operate between approximately 1500 and 2000 degrees centigrade for extended periods of time the solid carbide with the embedded reinforcement is formed first by reaction infiltration. Molten silicon is then diffused into the carbide. The molten silicon diffuses preferentially into the carbide matrix but not to any significant degree into the carbon-carbon reinforcement.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a substrate-free aligned nanotube film, comprising: (a) synthesizing a layer of aligned carbon nanotubes on a quartz glass substrate by pyrolysis of a carbon-containing material, in the presence of a suitable catalyst for nanotube formation; and (b) etching the quartz glass substrate at the nanotube/substrate interface to release the layer of aligned nanotubes from the substrate. The invention also provides a process for the preparation of a multilayer carbon nanotube film comprising depositing a substrate-free carbon nanotube film onto another nanotube film. Further, the invention provides a process for the preparation of a “hetero-structured” multilayer carbon nanotube film which includes one or more carbon nanotube layers together with layers of other materials, such as metal, semiconductor and polymer.

Abstract: A composite structure is formed by depositing a one or more coatings on an open-cell foam skeleton to form a higher-density composite foam. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the composite foam can be at carbon carbon composite formed by a rapid densification process. The form composite structure is suitable for use, for example, as a friction material employed in clutch and brake devices.

Abstract: A coated cemented carbide excellent in peel strength includes a cemented carbide substrate comprising a hard phase containing tungsten carbide and a binder phase, and a hard film being provided on a surface of the substrate with a single layer or two or more laminated layers, wherein (1) at least part of the surface of the substrate is subjected to machining, and (2)(i) substantially no crack is present in particles of the hard phase existing at an interface of the surface of the substrate subjected to machining and the hard film and/or (2)(ii) peak intensities of crystal surfaces satisfy hs(001)wc/hs(101)wc≧1.1×hi(001)wc/hi(101)wc wherein hs(001)wc and hs(101)wc each represent a peak intensity of (001) crystal face and that of (101) crystal face at the surface of the substrate subjected to machining processing, respectively, and hi(001)wc and hi(101)wc each represent a peak intensity of (001) crystal face and that of (101) crystal face in the substrate, respectively.

Abstract: An organic silicon polymer is infiltrated and charged into gaps in a matrix phase of a formed fiber fabric, and its airtightness is increased by (a) CVI infiltration process 2 for forming the SIC matrix phase on the surface of the fiber fabric formed, (b) pressurized infiltrations process 4 for pressurizing the organic silicon polymer in the direction operating pressure is applied to the fiber fabric during use and infiltrating the organic silicon polymer into gaps in the aforementioned matrix phase, and (c) heating process 5 for heating the infiltrated fiber fabric at a high temperature. Thus, airtightness can be increased quickly, and fired work can be applied practically even to thrust chambers etc.

Abstract: A method of deposing a carbon-containing substance in the pores of a porous body comprises establishing an open varying magnetic field flux loop and placing the body such that a magnetic field flux generated by the open magnetic field flux loop passes through a region of said body and heats that region, creating a thermal gradient across the body and bringing a thermally decomposable carbon-containing gas into contact with the heated region, thereby depositing a carbon-containing substance in the pores if said heated region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of densifying porous structures by chemical vapor infiltration. In characteristic manner, said densification method is implemented using toluene as a precursor for carbon. Said toluene is generally used mixed with at least one carrier gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially pure and finely divided granular pyrolytic carbon material. The substantially pure pyrolytic carbon can be used in a variety of applications including filtration and battery electrode applications. The present invention further describes a process for producing a substantially pure pyrolytic carbon material that includes heating a mixture of refractory inorganic particles with a hydrocarbon gas for an amount of time sufficient to deposit a substantially uniform layer of pyrolytic carbon on the surfaces of the particles.

Abstract: A method of producing a carbon-carbon part having a filamentized composite fiber substrate is provided. A substrate having a plurality of discontinuous filamentized fibers and a binder that binds said filaments together to form a composite substrate is provided, and carbon atoms are deposited onto the filaments at a predetermined temperature so that the binder is removed completely from the filaments and replaced with carbon atoms to from a dense carbon-carbon part.

Abstract: At least one layer of fibers of a material susceptible to heating by electromagnetic radiation is incorporated in a porous structure. The structure is subjected to the radiation to heat up the body which is contacted with hydrocarbon gas to cause the gas to deposit carbon within the porous structure and thereby cause densification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for synthesizing one-dimensional nanosubstances. A membrane having channels serves as the host material for the synthesis. The anodic membrance is brought into contact with a microwave excited plasma of a precursor gas using an electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition (ECR-CVD) system. Parallel aligned nanosubstances can be synthesized in the channels of the membrane over a large area. Carbon nitride nanosubstances are synthesized successfully for the first time in the present invention.

Abstract: Silicon carbide fibers having an excellent mechanical strength and a superior heat resistance can be produced by the process in which activated carbon fibers having a thickness of 1 to 30 &mgr;m and a BET specific surface area of 700 to 1500 m2/g are reacted with a silicon and/or silicon oxide gas at 1200 to 1500° C. under a reduced pressure or in an inert gas atmosphere; and the resultant SiC fibers are heat treated in the presence of a boron-containing substance and optionally a carbon-containing substance at 1700 to 2300° C. in an inert gas atmosphere, wherein the fibers may be in the form of a shaped article, for example, a sheet or honeycomb structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of high temperature composites made by the chemical vapor infiltration and deposition of a binding matrix within a porous structure. More particularly, the invention relates to pressure gradient processes for forcing infiltration of a reactant gas into a porous structure, apparatus for carrying out those processes, and the resulting products. The invention is particularly suited for the simultaneous CVI/CVD processing of large quantities (hundreds) of aircraft brake disks.

Abstract: Cellulosic single fibers such as cotton is prepared without any resins or pitches to a mass or bulk such as a lap which is self-shaped and retains its form by a force of cohesive intertanglement of fibers. The mass as prepared is heated for carbonization or graphitization, if desired, to obtain unique shaped carbides of porous and stable structures in which the cohesion of fibers is made more dense on account of the total shrinkage of the mass by carbonization.